Alliance aims to make city dementia friendly

Mary Youlden
Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - 5:33pm

The Exeter Dementia Action Alliance has now been established in Exeter with the aim to develop awareness of dementia and dementia support within businesses and other organisations across the city.

Over the next 10 years dementia will increase significantly from the existing 850,000 people nationwide currently with a diagnosis.

Community initiatives like these aspire to raise awareness across the city. Currently there are 26 alliances across the South West.

This work will be guided by needs based strategies which will involve the voices of those with dementia and their caregivers.

The Exeter Dementia Action Alliance (EDAA) Project Lead, Gina Awad, explained: "Dementia is a progressive disease and those diagnosed and their caregivers need our support as a community.

"We have a range of passionate individuals on our Steering Group and with such a varied skill-set we hope to inspire local businesses/organisations to join up to the alliance by completing an online action plan illustrating two or three achievable actions.

"These might include running a free one hour dementia friends awareness session for their staff; support in how to communicate with individuals with dementia in a meaningful way; and discovering the everyday tasks that people find challenging in the community.

"Public transport has already been highlighted as a big concern and is currently being considered. We are endeavouring to work towards a more inclusive community where individuals with dementia and their caregivers are placed at the heart of our vision."

Gina illustrates there is more to the person than the dementia which is one of the key messages the government are trying to relay to the public.

She also explains that although there are already various services and groups in place caregivers require more support.

The alliance is looking for local organisations and businesses to get involved, as well as volunteers and individuals to assist in this growing initiative.

One new initiative in the city and across the whole of Devon is Reading Well Books on Prescription for Dementia. Every library in the county now holds a collection of books about dementia for free loan. For more information: www.devon.gov.uk/readingwell

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