07/05/2014 - Permalink

New ‘Dementia Friends’ launched by health organisations and Alzheimer’s Society

Related topics: Community / Health

Shropshire Council’s public health team have joined with Shropshire’s Alzheimer’s Society, Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group and other health and community organisations to support the national ‘Dementia Friends’ campaign.

The campaign, launched by Public Health England and Alzheimer’s Society, is encouraging people in Shropshire to become a Dementia Friend by watching a short video online, or by attending a face-to-face information session, to increase their understanding of the condition, and implementing their experience on a daily basis.

Dementia is one of the biggest health crises facing the UK.  There are 665,065 people living with dementia in England and it is estimated that one in three people over 65 will be affected by the disease.

In Shropshire there are approximately 5,000 people living with dementia.  People with dementia commonly lose their memory and, as a result, can start to lose their way.  They also often lose their friends; friends who don’t understand what’s going on or how to deal with it.

Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, said:

“One in three of us over the age of 65 will develop dementia; an incredibly high statistic.  But people with dementia can live well, and it is the responsibility of the rest of the community to help them do so.

“It is only by personally understanding the issues that people living with dementia face, that can we fully appreciate the challenges they have to overcome on a day-to-day basis. By participating in the short information session to become a Dementia Friend, you are playing a crucial role in helping us take one step closer to creating a dementia-friendly society.”

Dr Caron Morton, Accountable Officer at Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“It’s vital that everyone involved in health services really takes note of the importance and impact that dementia can have on friends, family and colleagues.  It’s a huge problem for the country as a whole and particularly for a county like Shropshire, where we have an older and ageing population.  That’s why I am proud that the CCG is supporting the Dementia Friends campaign and helping to raise awareness amongst all of our different communities.”

Dianne Beaumont, Services Manager at Shropshire’s Alzheimer’s Society, added:

“Dementia Friends is trying to change the way people in England think, talk and act about dementia.  Becoming a Dementia Friend is a key way we can support people we have always known in our community as they begin their journey with dementia.  It is a difficult one, and knowing that there are people showing empathy and understanding of their needs is important and allows them to continue to feel part of a community and valued.

“The people of Shropshire are very committed to becoming Dementia Friends; this has been recognised by Alzheimer’s Society, and I am thrilled that we are now able to deliver Dementia Friends Champion training in Shrewsbury on Tuesday 27 May 2014.  A place can be booked by clicking here.

“Localised training allows us to create many more Champions who can deliver short information sessions across the county, allowing people to become Dementia Friends.”

The Dementia Friends campaign launch will be followed by Dementia Awareness Week from 18 to 24 May.  As part this awareness week, Shropshire Alzheimer’s Society will be hosting a Dementia Awareness Week event at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery on Friday 23 May 2014.

To watch the video and for more information about the National Dementia Friends Campaign and how to become a Dementia Friend visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk.

For more information about Dementia support in Shropshire click here.

For information about Shropshire’s Dementia Awareness event visit http://www.dementiaday.co.uk/.

Further information

Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer’s Society initiative launched in 2013 to increase understanding and awareness.

Led by Public Health England and Alzheimer’s Society, the Dementia Friends campaign was launched today on 7 May 2014.  The objective of the campaign is to make residents more aware of dementia and improve attitudes towards the disease whilst creating a clear call to action to become a Dementia Friend.

The new campaign aims to raise awareness and help create a network of one million Dementia Friends across England by 2015.  As part of the campaign, adverts will appear on TV and online from today (7 May 2014).