Luton as a Dementia Friendly Community

Kimberly RadfordCommissioning Manager

Joint Commissioning Team - LBC

Where has it come from?

• Living Well with Dementia – National Strategy 2009

• Luton’s Joint Commissioning Dementia Strategy 2010

• Prime Ministers Challenge 2012

What is a Dementia Friendly Community?

Defined as a place where the greatest number of people with dementia : -

• can live a good life• live as independently as possible and continue to be part of

the community• are met with understanding and given support when necessary

It…….• Compliments the National Dementia Strategy as part of the

Prime Ministers Challenge• Supports the wellbeing of those living with dementia and their

carers

Alzheimer’s Society Definition

A dementia friendly community is one that shows a high level of public awareness and understanding so that people with dementia and their carers are encouraged to seek help and are supported by their community. Such communities are more inclusive of people with dementia, and improve their ability to remain independent and have choice and control over their lives.

Described by People with dementia and their carers

as a community that enables them to: -

• Find their way around and be safe

• Access the local facilities that they are used to and where they all know (such as banks, shops, cafés, cinemas and post offices)

• Maintain their social interests so that they continue to belong

Key Message

People said what they wanted was to carry on doing the same things they have always done – use the local shops, pubs and meet their friends

– the ‘stuff of life’

Five Key Aspects

• The Physical Environment – signage, use of colour, contrast

• Local Facilities – access shops, banks, transport and leisure facilities

• Local Groups – gives people with Dementia and their carers confidence

• Social Networks – isolation and exclusion disadvantages people

• Support Services – from the point of diagnosis

Luton as a Dementia Friendly Town

Three Elements

1. Dementia Action Alliance

2. Dementia Friends and Champions

3. Dementia Focus & Pressure groups

Luton’s Dementia Action Alliance

• Core Group

• Draft Terms of Reference for LDAA

• National Dementia Declaration-outcomes

• Action Plans – 2 questions– How would you describe your organisations’

role in delivering outcomes?– Give one or more actions your organisation

will commit to.

Organisations already signed up• Luton Borough Council• Luton Cultural Trust• Luton & Dunstable Hospital• Big Tent Project – Stopsley Baptist Church• The Mall Team• Argos – The Mall• Health watch• Luton Post Office – The Mall• Powher• Active Luton• Age Concern Luton• Alzheimers Society Bedfordshire & Luton• Bedfordshire Police• GP Ministries• Home Instead Care – Luton & Central Bedfordshire• Music 24• Quantum Care• TOKKO• Stopsley High School• Luton Fire & Rescue

How are we doing it in Luton?

• Alzheimers Society• Temporary project Manager• Raising Awareness• LDAA launch• Dementia Champions• Dementia Friends• Ongoing support – LDDA• Working together!!!!!!!