Dementia Friends + Claire Puckey Dementia Friendly City Co-ordinator

Introductions and Housekeeping

What does ‘Dementia’ mean to you?

What is Dementia Friends? Dementia Friends hopes to give the general public an understanding of dementia and the small things that they can do to make a difference to people living with dementia and their carers. Dementia friends is a national initiative run by the Alzheimer's society

Why do we need Dementia Friends?

Future Projections

Bingo!

 Dementia is not a natural part of ageing  Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain  Dementia is not just about losing your memory  It is possible to live well with dementia  There is more to the person than the dementia 5 Key Messages

The Bookcase

Making a Cup of Tea

 Dementia is not a natural part of ageing  Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain  Dementia is not just about losing your memory  It is possible to live well with dementia  There more to the person than the dementia 5 Key Messages

How can I recognise someone with dementia? You can’t! They may be over 65 but they may be younger. They may not know they have dementia They may refer to ‘having memory problems’ rather than dementia. Carers may indicate that the person they are with has difficulties.

What kind of difficulties might a person with dementia have?  Looking or saying they are lost or confused  Appearing to search for something they can’t find  Being unsure of what to do next  Appearing to have problems understanding or handling money  Finding self service facilities difficult  Difficulties with speech or understanding  Forgetting to pay for things ( in a shop)

What can I do to help? Speaking and Listening  Take your time and speak clearly  Use short simple sentences  Try to make only one point at a time  Say things more simply if you need to  Use direct questions “Can I help you to…?” rather than “what would you like me to do?”  Allow the person to take their time responding

What can I do to help? Body language and support  Have an open and friendly manner  Offer reassurance and support with the activity or transaction  Use good eye contact  Use signs and gestures if necessary  Be aware of the impact of the environment

Understanding into action  Just being more patient with someone showing the signs of dementia  Spending time with, helping or supporting a friend or relative affected by dementia  Volunteering with an organisation to support people with dementia.  Fundraising for a dementia-related cause.  Helping your workplace to be more dementia friendly.  Encouraging colleagues and friends to become Dementia Friends or spreading the word through social media.

Can YOU be a dementia friend?

Next Steps

Actions to take to become dementia friendly  Develop an action plan for your pharmacy and join the Plymouth Dementia Action Alliance  Raise your staff’s awareness e.g. through Dementia Friends sessions  Do an audit of the physical environment of your pharmacy  Look at what HR policies you have in place to support staff who become carers or get diagnosed with dementia  Spread the word!

Recognition  All pharmacies who join the Dementia Action Alliance and develop an action plan are recognised with the Alzheimer’s Society “working to become dementia friendly” logo (window stickers, certificates)