OLDHAM EAST and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams is helping UK Parliament take its first steps with Alzheimer’s Society to become the first ever Dementia-Friendly Parliament in the world.
The charity is supporting the initiative which will see the whole parliamentary community improve their understanding of dementia and take action to support those with the condition. 
Hundreds of MPs and Peers have already committed to welcome, respect and support people with dementia in their roles by becoming Dementia Friends.
And to mark the launch, Debbie Abrahams MP – the first parliamentarian to become a Dementia Friends Champion – delivered an awareness session to a further 40 colleagues last month, including House of Commons and MPs staff.
Ms Abrahams, who has set creating a dementia-friendly Oldham as one of her top ten priorities, said: “When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia very few of us are in a position to immediately know how to provide the best care for them and help them adjust.
“Generally we just cope the best we can, learning along the way, and that was certainly true for me and my family when my mum was diagnosed.
“For me the Dementia Friends sessions underline how important it is that we do everything we can to ensure communities adapt to the needs of people with dementia and their carers.
“By holding my own information session in Parliament, and in my constituency in the summer, I hope to encourage more people to become Dementia Friends and to reduce the stigma associated with the disease.”
The Dementia-Friendly Parliament initiative aims to make Dementia Awareness part of all newly elected MPs inductions and deliver awareness sessions to all public-facing staff.
They will also provide MPs and Peers with information about dementia to help them assist constituents and they will signpost staff with caring responsibilities for people with dementia to help through Alzheimer’s Society.
Alzheimer’s Society aims to have one million Dementia Friends by 2015 to help make England more dementia-friendly and improve the lives of people currently living with the condition.
George McNamara, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “This ground-breaking initiative shows how UK Parliament is taking the leading role in supporting people with dementia, setting an example to other nations.
“If everyone inside the walls of Parliament becomes dementia-friendly, it will be a massive step forward towards improving the quality of life of people with dementia up and down the country.”
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