Dementia Awareness Week

What is dementia? Dementia is an incurable condition caused by over 100 different diseases of the brain that over time impairs the ability of someone with dementia to live independently. Symptoms can include memory loss, mood and personality changes and changes in behaviour. Many people with dementia also have other medical conditions, or develop them during the course of their illness. Two thirds of people with dementia live in their own homes and one third live in care homes. Families currently provide the majority of care and support for people with dementia and this can be both tiring and stressful - physically, emotionally and financially. However, if people with dementia are diagnosed early and they and their families receive quality care, they can live well and independently for longer.

There are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK - that’s 1 in 14 people. This is set to rise to 1 million by 2025, and will soar to 2 million by 2051.

Dementia costs the UK economy £26.3 billion a year. With unprecedented pressure on health and social care, society runs the risk of failing people living with dementia and their carers, with stretched services that are not tailored to their needs.

As a member of Dementia Action Alliance (DAA), Workington Town Council is committed to help promote Workington as a Dementia Friendly Town.

Dementia Action Alliance brings together organisations and individuals across England committed to improving health and social care outcomes for people living with dementia, and those who care for them. Over 150 national organisations across England, who are members of the DAA, connect, share best practice and take action on dementia. Everything is done in partnership, and informed by people living with dementia, and those that care for them.

The DAA was formed in 2010 with the launch of the National Dementia Declaration. This saw members commit to action that radically improves the lives of people living with dementia. Today, members continue to make commitments, using their collective expertise to influence Government policy and societal attitudes towards dementia. Dementia Action Alliance facilitates members to take action on dementia through Action Plans that are available on their website. They also enable members to come together to share best practice and learn from each other through regular events – from conferences and expert-led roundtables to workshops and webinars. They campaign on major issues within health and social care to create system-wide change, and ensure that dementia does not prevent people from living the lives they wish to.

Dementia Awareness week takes place from 14 - 20 May 2017. Workington DAA will be hosting its official launch and invite you to come along and find out what they have done so far and chat about how you can get involved. There will be information, speakers, free refreshments and stalls. Please get involved.

Friday 19th May 2017 at 1-3.30pm Christ Central Church, Central Square, Workington, CA14 3BG Contact Kameron for more information kamerson.summers@cumbria.gov.uk / 01900 706012

Find out more about dementia - www.alzheimers.org.uk Dementia Action Alliance - www.dementiaaction.org.uk Become a Dementia Friend - www.dementiafriends.org.uk