Dementia Friends at Abbeyfield

At Abbeyfield we welcome older people with dementia and Alzheimer’s to live with us in our dementia friendly care homes offering care, support and understanding.

In 2014, the Alzheimer’s Society launched the biggest ever social action movement to change perceptions of dementia, Dementia Friends. A Dementia Friend is someone that learns about dementia so they can help their community. Dementia Friends help raise awareness and instil understanding so that people living with dementia can continue in the way they want.

How does Abbeyfield get involved with Dementia Friends?

At Abbeyfield, we want all of our residents living with dementia to live the way they want which is why we encourage our staff, volunteers and residents to become a Dementia Friend, to help alleviate some of the stigmas attached to dementia and give a better understanding of how we can all help those living with the disease.

Throughout the country we have Dementia Friends Champions who facilitate sessions to our staff and volunteers, encouraging them to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in our houses and homes. 

During these sessions participants learn a bit more about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turn that learning into action by helping those around them. There are five key messages to take away from these sessions:

- Dementia is not a normal part of ageing.
- Dementia is caused by disease of the brain.
- It’s not just about losing your memory.
- It’s possible to live well with dementia.
- There’s more to the person than the dementia.

Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help, from telling friends about the course to visiting someone you know living with dementia - every action counts.

Remember, anyone can be a Dementia Friend, so why not become one yourself.

Written by Aaron Ingham, Dementia Projects Officer at Abbeyfield