Become a Dementia friend and make a real difference.

“The Dementia Friends Initiative is a social action movement,” says Anne McWhinnie, who leads the project for Alzheimer Scotland. “Its aim is to give people a little bit of an insight into what it’s like to live with dementia and to turn that understanding into action.”
Taking part is easy. Your register on line (which takes three simple steps) and then attend a local (or on-line) Dementia Friends information session. This is an interactive session which gives participants the opportunity to explore their understanding of dementia and to find out what they can do to help.
“Each session is activity based,” Anne explains. “During the session people learn about what dementia is and look at the various types of dementia and the symptoms that each causes. The sessions allow participants to gain a better understanding of what it’s like to live with dementia and show them the things they can do to help people living with the condition be a valued part of their local community. We emphasise the fact that, with the right support and understanding, people can live well with dementia and contribute to their local community.”
Dementia Friends is not an accreditation or a befriending service and Dementia Friends are not asked to visit people living with dementia. Instead, the sessions empower and encourage participants to go out and help people living with dementia in lots of ways, both big and small. From being more patient in a shop queue, to helping someone find the right bus, every action counts.
“During the sessions we talk about how dementia affects a person in terms of not just about memory but the affect it has on all different skills that make us who we are, for example, co-ordination, reasoning and understanding,” Anne explains. “We talk about how memories change for the person using the analogy of a bookcase, which highlights the timelines linked to memories in our life. We also explore how a simple task can become quite complex for a person living with dementia and how best to support the person living through those changes.”

Are you worried about Dementia or caring for someone living with the condition? Come and enjoy an afternoon in the garden at Cramond Residence on the 18^th June and get all your questions answered. For full details click here. To register your interest, email: enquiries@cramondresidence.co.uk

To sign up and become a Dementia Friend visit: https://www.alzscot.org/our-work/dementia-friendly-communities/dementia-friends-scotland

If you would like to find out more about the work of Alzheimer Scotland , please contact amcwhinnie@alzscot.org.

If you are interested in other ways to support people with dementia, check out ways to volunteer with Alzheimer Scotland.

Discover more about the specialist Dementia Care services offered at Cramond Residence.