Council staff take lead in becoming Dementia Friends

Hundreds of Bury Council employees hope residents across the borough will join them in becoming Dementia Friends.

Staff are taking the lead in a national campaign run by Public Health England and the Alzheimer’s Society.

The initiative aims to help people with dementia to live well and for longer, by helping them and their carers maintain supportive relationships.

Cllr Rishi Shori, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “As a council, we’ve made a commitment to become 'dementia aware' and ‘dementia friendly’. This means supporting our staff to become more aware of the needs of people affected by dementia and to understand how small changes in the way services are delivered can make a massive difference to people affected by the condition.”

The campaign has three aims: to increase awareness of dementia and support those living with dementia; to reduce the stigma associated with dementia; and to allow people with dementia to be active and included as part of the community.

Cllr Shori added: “Dementia is arguably the biggest health crisis facing the UK. By 2021, there will be one million people living with dementia in England; one in four hospital beds is occupied by someone with dementia; one in three of us over-65 will develop the disease; and everyone will be affected by it because every one of us will know someone with it.

“The situation is made worse because dementia is widely misunderstood and feared. In the UK it is the most feared disease by the over-50s, even more than cancer.

“There is untapped potential in the community to help people with dementia and their carers. Everyone, from the local shopkeeper or hairdresser to large employers and organisations, can help to ensure that people with dementia feel active, engaged and valued.”

Experts point out that dementia is not a natural part of growing old, but is caused by diseases of the brain. It is possible to live well with dementia, and people should realise that there’s more to the person than the dementia.

People living and working in Bury can make a commitment to becoming dementia-friendly by following the link below, watching a video and registering to become a dementia friend. This only takes about 20 minutes, and is free.

For further information on the campaign and how to become a Dementia Friend, please visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk

Many other organisations have made the same pledge, ranging from the emergency services and NHS departments to Bury and Holy Cross Colleges, Six Town Housing, and the DWP.

Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, the council’s executive director for communities and wellbeing, is also the national dementia lead for the Association of Directors of Social Services.

She said: “The fact that one in three people over 65 will develop dementia is an incredibly high statistic. But people with dementia can live well, and it’s vitally important that the rest of the community helps them to do so.

“Only by personally understanding the issues that people living with dementia face can we fully appreciate the challenges they have to overcome daily. I would urge residents to join the campaign and become a Dementia Friend – you will be playing a crucial role in helping us to become a dementia-friendly society.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 6 October 2014.