Helping Create Dementia Friendly Communities

In our recent newsletter, we explained that as our customers live in the community, it is our aim to support our community as a whole. One way that we are doing this is by working to help make the places that we live Dementia Friendly Communities.

We support many customers who are living with dementia. As well as providing specific services and training that benefit them directly, we believe it is important to extend our support further than our direct customers and into our local community.
 
In our recent newsletter, we explained that as our customers live in the community, it is our aim to support our community as a whole. One way that we are doing this is by working to help make the places that we live Dementia Friendly Communities.

Just like those with other health conditions, people living with dementia want to carry on living their life within their communities for as long as they can.

This means continuing to do the things they did prior to their diagnosis such as working, shopping, DIY and hobbies. Keeping active and occupied can also increase a person’s self-esteem, confidence, motivation and stimulation all leading to an increased sense of well-being.

Also, most people will come into contact with someone living with dementia and therefore we are proud to be able to help support many family members of those living with dementia as we strive to help create local Dementia Friendly Communities.

A Dementia Friendly Community of one where people understand about dementia, support services are easily accessible and people living with the condition can continue to live well and indipendantly for as long as possible. There is a lot of work to do, however we are not alone.
 
Our goal sits with a Kent-wide programme to help improve the quality of life for people living with dementia. Kent’s work is part of the National Dementia Action Alliance and we are proud to be an active part of this programme, attending forums where we work with other local agencies to help improve the lives of local people living wth the condition.
 
During Dementia Awareness Week (17-23 May), for example, we helped organize a dementia information session with the Maidstone Older People’s Forum, Jive Party for those living with dementia and their carers in Tunbridge Wells along with an advice and information event in Gravesend.
 
As well as this we are pleased to run regular local Dementia Friends sessions, helping a people in our communities to understand a little more about Dementia and how it is possible to live well with the disease. We also find that these sessions are helpful for family members to share their experiences with one-another and know that they are not alone.
 
At the centre of all that we do to help create Dementia Friendly Communities however, are the people living within them. These people must be our focus and although there is a long road ahead, we konw that even the small things we do can help make a big difference.

If you would like deails about how to get involved in the Maidstone Dementia Friendly Community forum or details of our next Dementia Friends session, we would love to hear from you.

You can get in touch by email on maidstone@bluebirdcare.co.uk