Dementia-Friendly?

Standing in the checkout aisle in the grocery store, I noticed the older woman in front of me was a little slow and struggling to use her card in the credit card reader. My first thought was, “oh, I bet she has early dementia and is struggling to figure out the machine.”

I see the cashier is a little frustrated and is trying to hurry the woman. I recognize this woman needs a little more time. So I smile at the cashier, tell her I am in no hurry, and chit-chat to divert her attention away from the woman checking out. The woman finally gets the card reader to work, completes her transaction, smiles at me, and heads on her way.

I thought about how that transaction might have gone had I not been there to divert the frustrated checker. I wondered if that checker had any experience with Dementia. I also wondered if the store provided any education for its staff on interacting with those who may have Dementia.

Many people with early Dementia can take care of themselves.

When most people hear Dementia, they picture some 90-year-old person who has no clue what is happening around them. They don’t realize many people with early Dementia continue to live their normal lives. Often, with just a few struggles here and there, but they can do so for many years, depending on the type of Dementia they have.

Dementia-friendly is a term that describes creating a better life for those with Dementia and their families. The goal is to create a better understanding of the disease, decrease the stigma attached to it, and empower those with Dementia to continue living as close to normal as possible.

Where did the Dementia-friendly concept begin?

I have heard many times that over 6 million people in the U.S. live with Alzheimer’s Disease. But did you know over 55 million people worldwide live with Dementia? 

In 2004, Japan recognized the need to change people’s thoughts about Dementia. So they began a 10-year plan to understand the disease better and create Dementia-centered communities. They also created a 90-minute seminar for the public. 

In addition, they educated their schools, offices, and community settings across the country. They taught the basics about Dementia, how it affects lives, and how to support those living with the illness. (see more HERE)

Why is becoming Dementia-friendly so important?

People fear what they don’t understand. Learning about the basics of Dementia can remove their fear of Dementia. Teaching people what to watch for, how to interact, and how to help someone with Dementia in need can make each interaction easier for the person with Dementia.

Dementia is expected to affect 139 million by 2050. Most people with Dementia live at home and interact in the community. We need to remove the stigma still associated with Dementia and improve at teaching our communities about the disease and showing them how to interact with our loved ones.

What is a Dementia-Friendly community?

A Dementia-Friendly community has people who understand Dementia. An example would be when a server recognizes the need to slow down and give her customer with Dementia a little more time. She knows how important it is for her to remain calm and patient. Trying to rush someone with Dementia may cause them to become anxious or distressed.

In most communities, we have adapted to meet the needs of those physically disabled. But what about those struggling with a mental disability such as Dementia. How welcoming is your community to those with Dementia?

The Alzheimer’s Disease International  developed these principles for a dementia friendly community

A dementia friendly community can be defined as: a place or culture in which people with dementia and their carers are empowered, supported and included in society, understand their rights and recognise their full potential.

ADI suggests that the four essential elements needed to support a dementia friendly community are:

1. People – people living with dementia must be included and centred.
2. Communities – the physical and social environment must be appropriate to the needs of people living with dementia.
3. Organisations – businesses and organisations must develop dementia friendly approaches and strategies, in particular in healthcare settings.
4. Partnerships – cross-sectoral support and collective action are crucial to effect change.

Community education is the first step to developing a Dementia-friendly community. Becoming a Dementia friend is an excellent place to start. Here is the link to Dementia Friendly America https://www.dfamerica.org/

Here is the Dementia Friends website, which has some good videos for those working in different community areas.  https://dementiafriendsusa.org/

There are now 67 Dementia Friends programs launched or in development in 56 countries and almost 19 million Dementia Friends worldwide (11 million of those in Japan). The U.S.A. is working on becoming more Dementia Friendly but still has quite a ways to go. 

There are quite a few states that have Dementia-Friendly programs. See what your state has Here.

Dementia affects all types of people from all walks of life. Currently, there is no cure for Dementia, and it shows no signs of slowing. Did you know there is someone diagnosed with Dementia every three seconds in the world?

Each of us needs to help promote Dementia Awareness and support our own communities to become more Dementia-Friendy. Becoming a Dementia friend and sharing their videos is a good place to start.