Edinburgh to be dementia friendly

Capital in bid to help people with dementia

 

EDINBURGH City Council has approved a plan which city leaders hope will help the capital become a dementia-friendly city.

EDINBURGH City Council has approved a plan which city leaders hope will help the capital become a dementia-friendly city.

There are currently around 7142 people with dementia in Edinburgh and it is expected that this number will increase by 62% over the next 20 years.


A report to the council's health, social care and housing committee outlines the need to increase awareness of the issues that affect people with dementia and to challenge some of the stigmas attached to the condition.

As part of efforts to become dementia-friendly the council is to talk to retailers, public transport firms and health and voluntary bodies to provide advice about how to help people with the condition.

Shops, for example, will be given advice and information about how to help customers who become confused or agitated, who struggle to recognise bank notes or to explain what they need.

The dementia-friendly communities scheme is backed by Alzheimers Scotland.

 

After this we need to see more dementia friendly towns and city's around the UK, including I hope County Durham which seems to be dragging its feet. It seems a great pity that places like Stockton is well on their way to becoming dementia friendly, yet Durham is well behind.