Both our specialist older person organisations this week launched their commitment to becoming dementia friendly organisations at an event held at Exchange House.
When a person with dementia finds that their mental abilities are declining, they often feel vulnerable and in need of reassurance and support. The people closest to them; including their carers, friends and family need to do everything they can to help the person to retain their sense of identity and feelings of self-worth. Local services and organisations also have a key part to play to ensure they meet the needs of people with dementia and their families.
Scott Sanders, managing director of Derwen and Charter Housing announced: “As specialist older people housing and support providers, we recognise the importance of ensuring our services are dementia friendly. We are already spreading awareness of dementia through the Dementia Friend initiative, and most staff are already committed to being Dementia Friends. The next step is to roll this out to our residents.
We are also carrying out detailed assessments in our independent living schemes with communal spaces and are reviewing our design guide to ensure our new developments and refurbishments are dementia friendly’
Four staff in Derwen and Care and Repair have already signed up to become Dementia Friend Champions and will be instrumental in the roll out of Dementia Friends to our residents.
Bev Taylor, housing management assistant at Derwen said “I decided to become a dementia friend champion because I feel that there is still a lot of prejudice from people who do not understand dementia and the reasons why people with dementia behave the way they do. I am looking forward to raising awareness to try and stop these prejudices and for people to live alongside each other in harmony instead of ostracising people with dementia and other mental illnesses.”
There are nearly 2,000 people living with dementia in Newport and it is important that those living with the condition are able to live as normally as possible with dignity and respect.
Derwen and Newport Care & Repair are following in the footsteps of Newport City Council, who have already successfully registered to receive the Alzheimer’s Society National Accreditation as part of their ambition to become a dementia friendly city.
The event was attended by over 30 guests including staff, residents, Jayne Bryant AM and Cllr Paul Cockeram.
Article created: 18th December 2016
