1. Dementia Awareness 3)Our Event: Photo of event 5)Evaluation:
How we identified dementia as our focus:
It is estimated that 850,00 people in the UK are living with Dementia
Dementia doesn’t just affect the patient, over 24.6 million people in the UK have a family member or close friend living with dementia – that’s 38% of the population.
The number of people living with dementia is rapidly increasing, and even though a cure is not available currently, community pharmacies can help make a difference in their local area through education, understanding and supporting their patients.
Every Pharmacy that took part in the Dementia Awareness campaign has people living with dementia that use their pharmacy.
2) Engaging our local community involved three main steps:
It was important to liaise with the local charity, Alzheimer Scotland, for advice, support and guidance surrounding our event. Alzheimer Scotland Inverness was present on the day as well.
We had our 8 pharmacies come together and planned 3 events that would raise awareness for dementia and help give advice to people with dementia as well as their friends and families.
Before the event we also made sure to tell our patients, customers, friends and family about these events so that as many people as possible would come.
3)Our Event:
We held three events where we had information stands in shopping centers where we spoke and listened to shoppers, providing them with information and support about dementia, services available in the local area, information on becoming a dementia friend and more.
Bon Accord, Aberdeen – 28th November
Overgate, Dundee – 28th October
Eastagte, Inverness – 24th November
Photo of event
5)Evaluation:
We were able to give advice to concerned friends and family as well as signposting them to support and more information.
We were able to show people that Boots pharmacies are a safe place to come to if they ever need help.
This event allowed us all to better understand dementia and be able to identify the signs of dementia and provide support and help.
4) The Impact:
As part of the event we spoke to over 200 people over the three different locations and received positive feedback from Alzheimer's Scotland and from the local communities.
Over 50 members of staff in eight pharmacies were trained as Dementia friends and are now more aware of the struggles that someone with Dementia faces, and know how they can take simple steps to help this group of patients.
Five Facts About Dementia:
It’s not a natural part of aging
It’s caused by diseases of the brain
It’s not just losing your memory
It’s possible to live well with dementia
There is more to a person than their dementia.