Pilates in St Albans has been strengthening our backs (and the rest of our body & mind) in 2020.  Now it's a chance to give back. Stretch or quiz with Pilates in St Albans this Christmas and New Year - and raise money to support families facing dementia during covid.

Coronavirus has challenged all of us. But now imagine going through it with dementia.  Imagine if you couldn't understand why you had been separated from family; why carers stopped visiting or wore masks.   Imagine moving your loved one into a care home, knowing you may never see them again.   One in four Coronavirus deaths have been people with dementia - making them the worst hit.   

Ilana knows the toll dementia can take on a family.  Her mother, Ena, had Alzheimer's. Ilana remembers how her intelligent, kind, generous mum (who also loved Barbara Streisand) "became somebody else" as the dementia progressed - angry, paranoid, sometimes aggressive and often scared.  There are a few photos of Ena in happier times, in the gallery section of this page.

Alzheimer's Society is the UK's largest dementia charity.  They are providing companion calls, virtual advice services and singing groups - reaching isolated and vulnerable people with dementia, and their carers, during this crisis.

How you can help:

1) Get stretching:  over Christmas and New Year, regular pilates-goers, plus their family and friends, are welcome at some special online stretch classes - suggested donation £5.  Find out more about the classes on offer and the wider timetable at

www.pilatesstalbans.co.uk/alzheimers.html

2) Get quizzy:  Ilana's one of our local heroes - conditioning the Pilatheletes of St Albans for over 11 years.  But how well do you know this fine city?  Test your knowledge and work off some festive excess with the Pilates in St Albans City Walking Quiz - suggested donation £5.  One lucky winner will get a bottle of artisan gin.  (remember to follow the covid guidelines). Find out more and access the quiz from 23rd December at 

www.pilatesstalbans.co.uk/alzheimers.html

(return your entry before 5pm on 5th January to be in with a chance of winning the gin!)

3) Become a Dementia Friend - two fifths of the UK population know a close friend or family member living with dementia.    Alzheimer's Society runs virtual Dementia Friends sessions - 1 hour to learn more about what it's like to live with dementia, and the little things we can do to make our community more 'dementia friendly', including how to offer support during covid.  Over 3 million people have already taken part. If there is  enough interest, we can organise a bespoke virtual session for members of the Pilates in St Albans community.  If you're interested, please email sylvia.lowe@alzheimers.org.uk  (or more information here:  https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/)

ps. this page has been put together by Sylvia, a member of Ilana's pilates group and employee of Alzheimer's Society

pps. If you, or anyone you know, is affected by dementia - Alzheimer's Society can provide emotional support and practical advice via www.alzheimers.org.uk or their support line 0333 150 3456