Dudley retains dementia friendly status
Dudley borough has retained its nationally recognised dementia friendly status for another year.
The Alzheimer’s Society gives the dementia friendly recognition to those communities which demonstrate they are improving inclusion and quality of life for people with dementia in a number of ways.
This is the fifth year that Dudley borough has retained the status in recognition of the work of Dudley Dementia Action Alliance, which Dudley Council is a member of along with other organisations including Carers of People Living with Dementia, NHS Dudley (Russell Hall Hospital), Healthwatch Dudley, Home Instead, Halesowen BID and Dudley Carers Network.
The alliance has continued to meet virtually throughout the pandemic and influence local people, the community and businesses. It’s also been able to grow its membership.
In the last twelve months the group has been able to encourage local shops to allow people living with dementia to accompany their carer to undertake essential shopping at a time when nationally supermarkets were discouraging more than one person to shop.
The partnership has also worked with Barclays Digital Eagles to connect them with local organisations supporting people living with dementia and their carers to help them be more tech-savvy and safe online.
Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said:
With an ageing population and more people being affected by dementia, it’s really important we take action to improve people’s quality of life and avoid people feeling isolated in their communities.
The work of the alliance is crucial, it brings together like-minded individuals and organisations, which really want to make a difference. It is great news that Dudley borough has been recognised as a dementia friendly borough once again and I congratulate everyone involved in achieving this.
Dudley Council is a member of the Dudley Dementia Action Alliance, which aims to bring organisations together to make Dudley borough dementia friendly. Contact Annette Darby at annette.darby@dudley.gov.uk for more information if you wish to join.
For more information about the council’s dementia gateways go to https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/care-and-health/adult-health-social-care/support-to-stay-independent/dementia-gateways/
For more information about what are the signs someone may have dementia, how people can reduce their risk of developing dementia and where to go for help, advice and support go to - https://lets-get.com/ageing-well/dementia/
Other alliance members include Top Church (Dudley), NIHR Clinical Research Network, Halesowen Rotary Club, Barchester Care Home (Broadway Halls), Advina Health Care (Netherton Green Nursing Home) and Cinnamon Care (Parkfield Grange).