Alzheimer’s Society launches information sessions on Dementia Friends

Posted under Blog on February 14th, 2013 by The Editorial Team / No Comments

The Alzheimer’s Society is holding a series of information sessions on their recently launched Dementia Friends initiative.  The free sessions, which will take place throughout England, will explore what it is like to live with the condition and provide advice on how to help to create dementia friendly communities. 

Announced last November by Prime Minister David Cameron, Dementia Friends aims to give people an understanding of dementia and the small things they can do that can make a difference to people living with dementia - from helping someone find the right bus to spreading the word about dementia.

It is hoped that one million people will be involved by 2015, all of whom will be equipped to help sufferers of dementia feel understood and included within their community.

Famous faces who have already signed up include comedians Jo Brand and Meera Syal.  According to the BBC, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has pledged to become one too. 

Commenting on Dementia Friends, Jo Brand, who trained as a psychiatric nurse, said the information session provided insight into everyday life for a sufferer which “helps you to realise how showing a bit more understanding could make a huge difference”.

As well as encouraging people to sign up as Dementia Friends, the Alzheimer’s Society is also calling on people to volunteer to be a Dementia Friends Champion. These are volunteers who talk to people about being a Dementia Friend in their communities. They will attend a training course, receive ongoing support and be part of a growing network of people creating dementia friendly communities together.

Learn more about how to get involved in your community. 

Tags: Alzheimers, Dementia friends

 
Dementia Friends – have you registered?

Posted under Uncategorized on December 10th, 2012 by Editorial Team / No Comments

An astounding 10,000 people have now registered their interest in ‘Dementia Friends’, an initiative launched by the UK’s Alzheimer’s Society on 8 November.

Most of us take the ease of everyday tasks such as shopping, visiting the bank or meeting friends for granted.  For those suffering from dementia, new challenges arise as previously well-known routes become foreign, social groups daunting and simple tasks confusing.

Research has shown that nearly two thirds of people with dementia experience feelings of loneliness and almost half report losing friends following their diagnosis. These problems arguably stem from a lack of understanding of dementia and basic knowledge of how to provide support.

Dementia Friends aims to improve the lives of people living with dementia by changing the way the nation as a whole thinks, talks and acts in relation to dementia. Their goal is that one million people will have the knowledge to help sufferers of dementia feel understood and included within their community by 2015.

The Alzheimer’s Society wants dementia friends in every community – in every hospital ward, post office and on every street. The Society is confident that it will not only reach their target, but that it will also beat it.

This exciting campaign has begun by encouraging individuals to register their interest, ultimately leading to a nationwide network of support. Those who have registered their interest will then have the unique opportunity to help shape the programme foundations.

An astounding 5,000 registered their interest on the first day and this number has now climbed quickly to more than 10,000. There are over 1,000 followers on Twitter (@DementiaFriends), over 1,400 Likes on Facebook and the Dementia Friends film has been viewed more than 15,000 times.

The launch of the campaign also received great media coverage with 170 national and regional TV mentions, 23 pieces of national and regional print coverage plus an article in Yours Magazine.

The scale of the response is hugely encouraging and adds justification for dementia’s identification as a key health priority by Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt.

Register your interest today to begin turning understanding into action. 

Tags: Alzheimer's society, Dementia friends

 

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