Creating dementia friendly communities: We want to hear your views

[KatherineW]

On March 26th, the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health launched a new challenge on dementia. The aim of the Dementia Challenge is to deliver major improvements in dementia care and research. A key focus of this initiative is the creation of dementia friendly communities across England over the next few years.

The Dementia Friendly Community Champion Group, co-chaired by Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society, and Angela Rippon OBE has already met twice. The Group, which consists of industry leaders, representatives from towns and cities and with people with dementia and their carers, has shown its commitment to the creation of dementia friendly communities. The Group is also looking at what needs to be done by organisations to become more dementia friendly as well as what steps members of the Group can take to raise awareness within their own sectors.

The Prime Minister joined the second Champion Group meeting to hear what progress is being made and to take part in discussions on raising awareness of dementia and engaging with volunteers, schools and local government.

Alzheimer’s Society and the Department of Health are also keen to gain the views of people from outside of the Champions Group. We would like to ask you to contribute to the work of the Group and have an influence on how best to create dementia friendly communities. You can do this by responding to a consultation. The consultation questions have been agreed by the Co-Chairs of the Dementia Friendly Communities Champion Group.

Submissions should be sent to the Dementia Friendly Communities Secretariat by the 31st July 2012 either online or by post to:

Jessica Mardell
Alzheimer's Society
Devon House
58 St Katharine’s Way
London E1W 1LB.

If you would like any further information, please email:dementiafriendlycommunities@alzheimers.org.uk

[KatherineW]

You still have time to give your views on the development of dementia friendly communities. This is your chance to influence the work of the Dementia Friendly Communities Champion Group and the Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia. The Department of Health is collecting all the answers and will use them to write a report, which will feed into the final report. You can do this by answering some simple questions, which are listed below. You can then send in your thoughts to the Dementia Friendly Communities Secretariat by the 31st July 2012 either online or by post to:

Jessica Mardell
Alzheimer's Society
Devon House
58 St Katharine’s Way
London E1W 1LB

1. Can you give any positive examples of your community being helpful and understanding (for example, neighbours, shops, services)? What do we need to do to enable more people to do the same and respond positively to people with dementia?

2. Do you feel part of your community? What makes it hard for you to participate and access services in your local community? What makes it possible for you to participate in your community?

3. What changes should organisations make in order to become dementia friendly?

4. As a carer, what would help you to feel part of the community? What can shops and services do to be more dementia friendly? Who should be responsible for ensuring communities are dementia friendly?

5. What does the phrase “dementia friendly” mean to you? How would you describe a dementia friendly town?

6. What have you done locally that has helped people understand your situation better and be more understanding and supportive to you and the person you care for?

If you would like any further information, please email: dementiafriendlycommunities@alzheimers.org.uk

Many thanks for your help.

[Alzheimer's Society]

Alzheimer's Society is calling on our supporters to contribute to two online consultations on the Dementia Challenge website. The consultations close on the 31st of July.

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