Dementia is the biggest challenge the health and social care system faces today with 800,000 people with dementia in the UK, and that figure is set to rise to one million by 2021. Over the last few years, there has been a welcome culture shift in recognising that beating dementia isn’t just the responsibility of clinicians and researchers.
While Alzheimer’s Society are very much at the forefront of society’s efforts to better support people affected by dementia and we need everyone in society to play a role and help ensure that people with the condition are able to enjoy a full and independent life in their community.
We know that this isn’t always the case. Alzheimer’s Society research has shown that up to 180,000 people with dementia only go out once a week and one in ten only do so once a month. Nearly half of people with dementia feel like they’re a burden and don’t take part in community life.
Research shows that we could save £11,000 per person, every year, if we can build Dementia Friendly Communities and enable people with dementia to live at home rather than go into care.
In a Dementia Friendly Community people will come together to reduce the misunderstandings about dementia and, importantly, improve the ability for people with dementia to remain independent by having choice and control over their lives and stay living at home longer. This is going to take everyone, so we are calling on communities to join the fight by committing to becoming dementia friendly.
Find out more about Dementia Friendly Communities.
1 comment
Comment by Alan Alexander posted on
Yes all very well but have you tried living with the shell that used to be a loved one? It is a terrifying and depressing position to look after a loved one who is no longer there. This can result in the carer needing just as much care as the person who is suffering from dementia.