• ON the proposed closure of Netherwood day centre, (Plea to protect dementia day centre from closure threat, February 2), Cllr Georgia Gould made some comments regarding the numbers of service users currently using the day centre on a daily basis (six).

I have had the privilege of seeing how this centre operates daily over the last couple of years and been able to meet and spend time with individuals who attend it week in week out. These individuals and their families benefit enormously from the day-to-day respite of this indiscriminate disease and how it hits them as people and their ability to live some form of normal life thanks to this day centre and its staff.

It allows them a safe, familiar, space to socialise with others. It encourages physical activity on many different levels rather than being left alone sat in a chair staring out of a window or at a television set for hours on end. It provides stimulation to all their senses sight, smells and sounds not to mention a human touch and encourages and allows them their independence.

The centre staff there have a wealth of knowledge and experience with regards this disease, not to mention a priceless connection on personal levels with those they aid and care for through their continued support and interaction.

So the rather crude suggestion that the closure of this gem of a day centre will only affect six people is not only disrespectful but now makes the reason for the conscious under-referral over the last few years very clear.

Those in the know have noticed a very clear drop in referrals over the course of the last few years and now we know why. There has been a clear agenda not only at this day centre but its sister day centre Raglan, with a view to forcing their closures by claiming them to be no longer fit for purpose and cost effective.

We all know these so-called proposals are at the moment meant to be just that; but we are not fooled.

Those who would shut these centre, without the blink of an eye, are out of touch and badly-informed . This disease strips those it strikes of everything worthwhile about them – from their memories and dignity to their ability to dress, move, talk or eat by themselves.

It eventually leaves nothing behind but the body of someone who used to be someone’s mum, dad, brother sister, husband or wife.

CHARLIE BROWN
Borehamwood