The over 60 Dementia Friends programmes in 50 countries, part of the Global Dementia Friends Network hosted by Alzheimer’s Society, challenge stigma, raise awareness and encourage more inclusive societies for people affected by dementia.
To mark this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month theme of ‘stigma’, members of the Global Dementia Friends Network used their Dementia Friends programme (or national equivalent) as part of their national strategy to challenge misconceptions and change how communities think, talk and act on dementia.
In Europe, activity included: Samen dementievriendelijk (Dementia Friends Netherlands) launching a partnership with railway and bus companies NS and Connexxion, to make transport dementia friendly; Germany’s Demenz Partner creating 50 thousand Dementia Friends; and, Alzheimer’s Society reaching a milestone of 3 million Dementia Friends in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Finnish Dementia Friends programme Muistikummit developed a route to create Dementia Friends online and the Portuguese programme Amigos na Demencia started delivering Dementia Friends face to face information sessions.
In other regions of the world, the Global Dementia Friends Network grew stronger with the national Alzheimer associations of Guatemala, Bonaire, Egypt and Panama joining and the programmes in El Salvador, Cuba and Bangalore launching their programme on World Alzheimer’s Day.
Members of the network also united to show via a short film the benefits of Dementia Friends programmes to address stigma and fear and make a positive change:
“People who participate in Dementia Friends information sessions are more knowledgeable and more tolerant towards the topic, less intimidated and more empathetic.”
“With acquiring more knowledge, the prejudices and discomfort about dealing with people with dementia decreases.”
On World Alzheimer’s Month the Global Dementia Friends Network showed a united global effort to talk about dementia.
Become a Dementia Friend in one of the countries participating and join the global dementia friendly movement of 18 million Dementia Friends. For more information or to become a member of the biggest social action movement on dementia visit: www.alzheimers.org.uk/GDFN