"IT'S MARVELLOUS, isn't it?" said 82-year-old Phyllis Wielobob as she played an interactive "brain training" game for the first time.
"I don't think I should do anymore, I shall wear myself out," said the widow from Chelmsford, who stopped by at the Making Memories dementia roadshow in Chelmsford's High Chelmer shopping centre on Tuesday, which is encouraging the elderly to stay active in a bid to delay the onset of dementia.
"I have been on my own for 29 years so I do get worried about what would happen if I did suffer from dementia," said Phyllis.
"You get a bit forgetful and you go into a room and wonder why you've gone in there, although I don't worry too much about forgetting little things like that.
"I think when you reach a certain age and if you've led an active life then you can't worry about it because your brain has so much more information inside it."
Phyllis has had a hip replacement and cannot do much physical exercise, but experts believe it is vital to lead an active life in the battle against dementia.
In partnership with the North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services locally, Essex County Council has completed a research pilot which suggests that there are activities that could help delay the onset of dementia.
These include brain training activities such as Suduko and crosswords, computer games, group learning activities such as singing or playing music, origami, and physical activity such as walking or swimming.
Phyllis keeps herself busy by completing daily puzzles. She also runs the knitwear store for Farleigh Hospice's Springfield Support Group.
"I really think you should keep your brain active," she said.
"I write letters so that helps, and I do a puzzle every morning."
The interactive roadshows feature a Memory Bank which allows residents to record a treasured memory, as well as brain training word, maths and memory games.
Terry, 75, from Springfield, visited the roadshow with his wife.
He said: "We keep active and we are aware of dementia because so many people suffer from it.
"If there are simple little tests you can do to help prevent you from going down that road it would be very handy."
With the over-65 population in Essex expected to increase by 45 per cent by 2021, dementia is likely to be one of the county's most significant challenges in the future.
Councillor John Aldridge, cabinet member for adults' social care, said: "To me, this is a very major element of social care that is getting more important by the day.
"What we are seeking to do here is raise public awareness because it helps to enable people to understand dementia. We shouldn't be frightened of it – it's part of life.
"Once we begin talking about it people can understand there are ways to hold off its onset."
The roadshows are touring shopping centres across the county, while smaller information stands are also being set up in supermarkets.
Further information can be found at www.essex.gov.uk/dementia
