Becoming a Friend for Dementia Anne Williams Dementia Champion

Welcome! Phones Toilets Alarm Introductions

Objectives To increase your understanding of dementia To encourage and enable you to become a Dementia Friend To consider what you might do as a Dementia Friend

Overview What is dementia? What is a Dementia Friend? What do I need to do to become one? Next steps Short presentations Fun exercise, Question and Answer, discussion No role play! One hour max

Exploring our understanding of dementia Exercise What is the first thing that springs into your mind when you hear the word ‘dementia’? What must it be like to have dementia? What must it be like to care for someone with dementia?

5 key things everyone should know about dementia Dementia is not a natural part of ageing Dementia is caused by brain diseases It is not just about losing your memory It is possible to live well with dementia There is more to the person than the dementia

Why do we have Dementia Friends? Serious disease - on par with other major diseases Ageing society – a large and increasing problem One in three people over 65 develop dementia Neglected area in past Widespread misunderstanding and akwardness One in four people with dementia have given up shopping

What is a Dementia Friend Someone who: increased understanding of dementia turns that understanding into action…….. this action can be as much or as little as you wish/are able/feel prepared to do Help to create dementia friendly communities together Become registered

What can a Dementia Friend do? Help those with dementia in a practical way e.g. with shopping Spread the word about dementia Spend more time with friends and relatives living with dementia Encourage others to become friends Train to be a Dementia Champion Volunteer for example with the Alzheimers Society

What will I do? Every little helps but as GPs you are in a more favoured position than most with regard to taking action. Exercise: please discuss: What do you think that you can do, realistically, perhaps over and above your normal work, for those with dementia and their families? What will you do?

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