DURING Dementia Awareness Week, Cumbria Freemasons decided to help sufferers in the area by donating to local care homes.

Two care homes in Cumbria have received a gift of teddy bears, colouring books and puzzles to help those affected by the disease to find comfort.

Providing a nurturing and supportive environment can help minimise the stress and anxiety associated with the condition. Comfort objects, such as teddies, can be a source of solace and can offer a sense of familiarity and security in a world that may feel increasingly foreign to someone with dementia. Nurturing and caring for the teddy stimulates positive emotions and might remind them of a time when they had young children or a pet of their own.

Cumbria freemasons donated to the residents of Applethwaite Green in Windermere and Stone Cross Care Home in Kendal as part of their Teddies For Loving Care appeal.

The freemason’s teddy initiative provides cuddly bears to Accident & Emergency departments for medical staff to give at their discretion to young children. The bears are used to calm children down, reward them for being brave or to demonstrate procedures. Often the bears distract children so nurses and doctors can get their jobs done quickly and efficiently. The TLC teddy has become an invaluable tool for medical professionals and a real comfort for children. 

Neil Dixon, spokesperson for Cumbria Freemasons, said: "We thought that we would expand on the Teddies For Loving Care initiative, as we knew the benefits they can have for Dementia patients.

“And it has proved a massive success.  The teddies are funded by generous donations of Freemasons, their families and supporters. This is an amazing cause to support, especially during Dementia Awareness Week."