Dementia

Dementia Friendly Crickhowell

Working towards becoming a Dementia Friendly Town

Dementia puts an enormous amount of strain on the individual, their carer and family, particularly as the disease progresses. Families often feel isolated from their communities; shopping and socialising can be difficult due to a lack of understanding and awareness, and that isolation can get worse as friends and neighbours keep their distance, not knowing how to best to adapt to the changing needs of a person living with dementia.

Around 2,500 people in Powys are living with dementia, and this number will only increase in the coming years. Over two-thirds of these people are living in the community. One-third live alone.

A Dementia Friendly Community is made up of the whole community – shop assistants, public service workers, faith groups, businesses, police, fire and ambulance staff, bus drivers, school pupils, clubs and societies, and community leaders – people who are committed to working together to help those living with dementia to remain part of their community.

This involves everyone having a greater awareness and understanding of dementia and doing very simple and practical things to accommodate it in everyday life.  In turn, this then gives people with dementia as much independence and dignity as possible whilst supporting them and their carers to live well and contribute to the community.

A great website for carers’ support is Talking Point, an online community from the Alzheimer’s Society.