'˜Dementia friendly' appeal

The South West Lincolnshire Dementia Action Alliance was launched in November, following an event which saw charities, public sector bodies and businesses coming together to discuss what they could do to help.

Now Alzheimer’s Society wants more organisations from the area to join the campaign.

Members of the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) pledge to take three actions to improve their services for people with dementia.

These actions could be anything from offering a Dementia Friends information session to staff, through to making signs clearer for people with dementia.

Gill Collins, DAA coordinator for East Midlands said: “It’s vital people living with dementia should still be able to enjoy all South West Lincolnshire has to offer. Many people with dementia have reported feeling trapped in their own homes and let down by their communities, with one in three only getting out once a week, and one in 10 only manage this once a month. This is simply unacceptable.

“The aim of the South West Lincolnshire Dementia Action Alliance is to help create a community where people with dementia feel confident, understood and supported to live well. I’m absolutely thrilled at the interest from local people - we’ve already had more than 20 organisations saying they are interested in signing up, including nine who have already begun taking actions which will make life better for people with dementia.”

To express an interest call Richard on 07833 048245.

Colin Warren, head of commissioning Mental Health and chairman of the South West Lincolnshire DAA, said: “We need to raise awareness and create more communities and businesses that are Dementia Friendly across South-West Lincolnshire so that people affected by dementia feel understood and included.”