OVERWHELMING SUPPORT from Oldham has been offered to a campaign to help people live well with dementia after more than 2,500 people became Dementia Friends in the last three months.
On World Alzheimer’s Day in September a local target was set by the Oldham Dementia Action Alliance to achieve 500 Dementia Friends in the borough by Christmas.
And in just three months the goal has incredibly been smashed and now 2,592 people have signed up through face-to-face sessions and online views.
A total of 1,370 residents and employees took part in a 45-minute session to learn about what someone living with dementia may be going through and receive more of an understanding of the condition.
To date, 1,222 local people have registered as a Dementia Friend online by watching a video and putting in their details to receive a free pack.
Many Dementia Friends have become Dementia Friends Champions, who deliver the sessions and are committed to improving its understanding and awareness.
The campaign, with the support of the Alzheimer’s Society, strives to help people develop a better understanding of dementia and how we can all help people live well with the disease.
Councillor Jenny Harrison, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Public Health, said: “The communities never cease to amaze me when it means getting behind people who need support.
“To reach this incredible amount of Dementia Friends, all united in helping people live well with this extremely common, yet sometimes misunderstood condition.
“Having lots of Dementia Friends in Oldham will help people with dementia to carry on with activities and feel included in the community.
“I want to thank everyone who has backed this campaign and we must ensure that we continue to work together to make Oldham a more dementia friendly place to live.”
Alan Higgins, Director of Public Health for Oldham, said: “Supporting those who live with dementia is a high priority as one in three of us over the age of 65 will develop it.
“People with dementia can live well and it is the responsibility of the rest of the community to help them do so.
“It is only by personally understanding the issues that people living with dementia face that we can fully appreciate the challenges they have to overcome on a day-to-day basis.
“If you are not already a Dementia Friend, I urge you give up just one hour of your time and you can play a vital role in helping us create a dementia friendly society.”
Denis Gizzi, Managing Director and Lead Manager at NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: ““Dementia is a top healthcare priority for 2015 and the challenge remains to equip and support our community to make sure those with dementia are able to live independent, happy and fulfilling lives.”
The Oldham Dementia Action Alliance is made up of organisations across Oldham, working together to radically improve the lives of people living with dementia and their carers.
If you are interested in becoming a Dementia Friend, Dementia Friend Champion and delivering dementia friends session in Oldham, please contact Sue Neilson at Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group on sue.neilson@nhs.net or 0161 622 6637.
Register to be a Dementia Friend online by visiting www.dementiafriends.org.uk
