News
Council welcomes ‘Dementia Friends’ scheme
The Council welcomes today’s launch of the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends initiative which aims to improve public knowledge and understanding of dementia and to help create more ‘dementia friendly’ communities.
The emphasis of this scheme on improving awareness and including people with dementia in society closely aligns with the conclusions of the Council’s 2009 report ‘Dementia: ethical issues’ – that we have an ethical obligation to become more inclusive of people with dementia, and we must have everyday services that are adapted to the needs of those living with the condition.
The Council’s report set out an ethical framework to help those who face dilemmas in the care of people with dementia. The framework emphasised the importance of solidarity, recognising that people with dementia are fellow citizens and that we all have a responsibility to support those affected. It further suggested that people with dementia often feel stigmatised and that more could be done to make dementia an accepted, visible part of our society. The report contains a number of recommendations about tackling stigma and promoting inclusiveness, and recommendations in other areas including:
Dementia Friends is jointly funded by the Department of Health and the Cabinet Office, as part of the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia. It hopes to create a network of a million Dementia Friends across England by 2015.
Related links
Find out more about the Council’s work on dementia.
Find out more about the Dementia Friends scheme:
The emphasis of this scheme on improving awareness and including people with dementia in society closely aligns with the conclusions of the Council’s 2009 report ‘Dementia: ethical issues’ – that we have an ethical obligation to become more inclusive of people with dementia, and we must have everyday services that are adapted to the needs of those living with the condition.
The Council’s report set out an ethical framework to help those who face dilemmas in the care of people with dementia. The framework emphasised the importance of solidarity, recognising that people with dementia are fellow citizens and that we all have a responsibility to support those affected. It further suggested that people with dementia often feel stigmatised and that more could be done to make dementia an accepted, visible part of our society. The report contains a number of recommendations about tackling stigma and promoting inclusiveness, and recommendations in other areas including:
- diagnosis, access to health and social care, and end-of-life care
- making decisions about care and treatment
- dilemmas in day-to-day care, such as using restraint, using assistive technologies, and balancing risk and freedom
- recognising the needs of carers
- research priorities and participation
Dementia Friends is jointly funded by the Department of Health and the Cabinet Office, as part of the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia. It hopes to create a network of a million Dementia Friends across England by 2015.
Related links
Find out more about the Council’s work on dementia.
Find out more about the Dementia Friends scheme:
- Dementia Friends website: https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/
- BBC Breakfast report: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21423682