Dementia Friendly Organisation
Late in 2017, the Parish Council received a presentation on the subject of Dementia. As so many people now live longer, this is increasingly common and many councillors have personal experience within their own families of the challenges and strains dementia in its various forms can impose upon sufferers and families alike.
The presentation outlined features of the condition and also highlighted simple ways in which families can minimise confusion and distress, for example, by changing the way they frame conversations in order to emphasise what is remembered, rather than pointing out what has been lost.
Now the Council is undertaking more research into becoming a Dementia Friendly Organisation, gathering information and ideas about what we might do in order to support parishioners and their families who are facing this condition. We hope to work with with the Health Centre, which has a Memory Clinic, as well as other relevant organisations, so that we can be aware of all the good practice that exists.
We shall report back our findings in due course, but if any parishioner has any suggestions about this area of work, please do contact us and let us know what you or your family might find useful. If we can help, we will do our best.