Too many people affected by dementia feel society fails to understand the condition they live with, its impact or how to interact with them. That is why people with dementia sometimes feel the need to withdraw from their community as the condition progresses and some feel cut off from society. People affected by dementia still have much to offer their community and if supported can still play an active and valuable role.
In a dementia friendly community, people with dementia are understood, respected, and supported and are confident they can contribute to community life. In a dementia friendly community, people will be aware of and understand dementia and people with dementia will feel included and involved and have choice and control over their day-to-day lives.
People with dementia have described a dementia friendly community as one that enables them to:
- find their way around and be safe
- access the local facilities that they are used to and where they are known.
- maintain their social networks so they feel they continue to belong.
Dementia friendly communities are those in which people with dementia have the best possible opportunities to live well. Everyone can help make a dementia friendly community, from local councils, shops, business, churches, we all have a part to play in creating communities where people with dementia feel active, engaged, and valued.
A local Dementia Action Steering Group has been established with representatives from Love Treorchy, Rhondda Rotary, RCT Council, CTM Health Board, Treorchy Dementia Café, and local Councillors. The next steps will be to:
- engage with people affected by dementia and hear their experiences and views.
- engage with Treorchy businesses and encourage them to support the initiative and become dementia friends.
The Benefits
- there would be a far greater community awareness of those living with dementia and how their lives could be improved by establishing a dementia friendly town.
- those living with dementia would feel safer in the local environment, with easier access to businesses and support, the health and wellbeing of those living with dementia and their carers will hopefully improve.
- businesses that participate will be provided with training and be recognised as Dementia Friends, they can then make a big difference for people living with dementia and their carers, by committing to become more dementia friendly.
Anyone can support the initiative, so look out for ways to help make Treorchy a Dementia Friendly Community.
