On 19 September, Alzheimer’s Society (UK) announced that the Dementia Friends initiative had created 3 million Dementia Friends across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Since 2013, Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative has been tackling the stigma that surrounds the condition. A Dementia Friend learns about how dementia affects a person and uses that understanding to make a real difference for people affected by dementia.
Whether it’s telling family and friends about the initiative, having a cup of tea with a neighbour, or fundraising to provide vital support, Dementia Friends actions are changing perceptions about dementia across the UK. And it’s not stopping there. With more people continuing to join the programme and taking action, everyone has a part to play in creating a dementia-friendly society.
Creating a dementia-friendly generation
Five-year-old Jennifer saw her Grandad, Ken, face the challenges and changes of his vascular dementia. But for Jennifer, her “Grandad was always just Grandad”. After Ken passed away, Jennifer’s Mum, Dena, became a Dementia Friend and then Jennifer joined up too. Together, Dena and Jennifer talked about the kinds of things people can do to help people with dementia. Jennifer’s action as a Dementia Friend is to ‘'always be kind and I will be really kind if anyone has dementia”. Since becoming Dementia Friends, Jennifer’s family have also gone on to take part and fundraise through Memory Walks and Cupcake Days.
Find out more about Dementia Friends here: www.dementiafriends.org.uk
