Alzheimer’s Society scheme helps with dementia (From Dorset Echo)

Alzheimer’s Society scheme helps with dementia

2:30pm Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News

DORSET residents are being urged to join a scheme to help people with dementia.

Alzheimer’s Society launched Dementia Friends to help people make a difference to the lives of those living with the condition.

Around 40 per cent of people in the south west feel they help support people with dementia in their local community but only 55 per cent feel they have a good understanding of the condition, according to research from the Alzheimer’s Society.

The initiative aims to increase dementia awareness and change the way the community thinks, talks and acts, by recruiting Dementia Friend Champions.

Dementia Friends Champions will attend a training course, receive ongoing support and be part of a growing network of people creating dementia friendly communities together.

Debbie Donnison, south west manager for the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “People with dementia want to remain independent and engaged in their communities by continuing to socialise with their friends and family and be active. “They sometimes need a helping hand to go about their daily lives and feel included in their local community which is why the Dementia Friends initiative is of such importance and will help to improve the quality of life for someone living with dementia.”

It is part of a bigger project to help villages, towns and cities across England become places where people with dementia can live without stigma and with the support they need to go about their daily life.

For more information visit dementiafriends.org.uk