1. NORTH SURREY & PURPLE ANGELS

2. What is Dementia? Dementia is a common condition that affects about 800,000 people in the UK. The risk of developing dementia increases as you get older, and the condition usually occurs in people over the age of 65. Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities. This includes problems with: memory loss thinking speed mental agility language understanding judgement

3. North Surrey & Dementia Dementia is a major public health issue in Surrey. Over 35,000 people in Surrey have dementia. It is most common among older people - dementia affects one in twenty over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80. As life expectancy increases, there will be more older people and so more people with dementia.

4. National Dementia Vision for N Surrey Dementia Supportive Communities Impact in North Surrey By 2021, the number of people with dementia across N Surrey is projected to increase by 31% and by as much as 44% in some rural areas. How does the Purple Angel campaign support empowering people with Dementia?

5. PURPLE ANGEL Meet Norman McNamara! Diagnosed at the age of 50 with Lewy Bodies Dementia and the inspiration behind the Purple Angel, which is now spreading it’s wings worldwide!

6. Why Purple Angel? Norman McNamara (affectionately known to his friends as Norrms) was diagnosed with dementia in 2008 at the age of 50. He lives in Torquay in South Devon with his wife and soul mate Elaine who he firmly believes is an Angel sent to protect and care for him. With the help and support of Elaine, Norrms has become an ambassador; speaking out and campaigning for all those who are living with the incurable and devastating diseases that we call dementia. His mission is to raise awareness of dementia and help not only sufferers of all ages but their family, friends, carers and the doctors and nurses and other agencies involved with their care. Norrms firmly believes that there is hope for a cure for dementia and that with a little help from friends around the planet, it is just around the corner.

7. Values and Standards The Purple Angel Values and Standards are that: People with Dementia have the right to a good quality of life and to remain independent in their local community People with Dementia have the right to live well, engage in and contribute to their local communities as long as they wish to do so. To address negative attitudes and raise awareness and understanding of Dementia.

8. Raising awareness in the community How can we do that? It is about involving everyone in the community to have a better understanding of how Dementia affects the person and making people aware of how they can support people with Dementia to be involved in the community. Everyone needs to understand how this affects people with Dementia when they are in the community.

9. Money Handling Sometimes people with Dementia have trouble understanding money and currency. They will appear to struggle to understand the amount they have to pay and work out the notes and coins they have to give to pay. A little patience and understanding will help enormously.

10. Confusion and Staring One of the common things that can occur with people with Dementia is that they can stand there in what is called a ‘catatonic trance’. Simply put it looks like they are daydreaming and if this happens then people should observe and offer help if Looking or becoming confused is also very common. This happens when the person with Dementia is having a problem focusing on what to do or where to go next. A little gentle reassurance and an offer of help will always be welcomed.

11. Spatial Awareness Sometimes you can see people stumbling or having problems with walking with ease, this is because they are having problems with spatial awareness. This may look as if the person has been drinking but with understanding you come to realise this is not the case and although it may take time people can learn to see the difference between spatial awareness for someone with Dementia and someone under the influence of alcohol.

12. Spatial Awareness Someone with Dementia may reach out for something and not quite understand why they haven’t been able to get what wanted. Bumping into things and looking unsure about where to go next or where to place their feet for the next step is also common. You will often see the look of confusion in their eyes. Someone who does not have Dementia will usually look confident but still won’t be able to get to grips with doing the smallest things and in that case Dementia may not be involved.

13. Speech People with Dementia have a tendency to repeat themselves and may ask the same thing over and over again. Patience is a must and a helping hand will always be appreciated. If they are taken to what they are looking for and can see what they want that will usually do the trick.

14. Speech Stammering and stuttering are not always a sign of a speech impediment, they can also be signs of Dementia. People with Dementia will try and say something but it will come out completely nonsensical.

15. Repetitiveness This comes in many forms but the most common one is doing the same action over and over again. This can include putting more than one of the same products in the shopping basket / trolley or buying the same thing over and over again. This can happen in all kinds of shops and not just supermarkets – such as the Post Office.

16. Repetitiveness Norrms' has known people who have bought up to 5lbs of bacon, sausages and chops when they clearly didn’t need that many and the butcher never thought to ask why? There can be very serious consequences when people with Dementia do this as it often won’t be kept in a suitable condition in fridges or freezers.

17. Dementia Friendly Communities Norrms, Elaine and friends were instrumental in establishing the first 'dementia friendly community' in the UK and indeed as far as we know, the world. On 12th January 2013, Norrms received this message from the Prime Minister: “I want to see your successes replicated across the country so that together we can transform the lives of people with dementia.” Norrms has inspired many people and organisations around the world to follow his leadership. A badge was designed with a Purple Angel to signify recognition and understanding of dementia at all levels of society.

18. North Surrey & Purple Angels North Surrey needs to become a Dementia friendly community! Shops, businesses and local people need to know how to support people with Dementia to be valued and to be empowered to be a part of the community. Awareness will also aid earlier diagnosis, providing support sooner.

19. North Surrey & Purple Angels How can we do this? We now have Purple Angel Ambassadors across North Surrey and in many countries all over the world, our aim is to; Promote Purple Angels in all shops and businesses including the council and it’s employees Raise awareness in schools and local clubs For North Surrey to be a Dementia friendly community. It is up to everyone to make this happen!