Becoming a Friend for Dementia

Anne WilliamsDementia 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?

Thank you

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