Dementia friendly communities

What is a dementia friendly community?

The word 'dementia' describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language.  

A dementia friendly community may be defined as being a place in which it is possible for the greatest number of people with dementia to live a good life, where people with dementia are enabled to live as independently as possible and to continue to be part of their community where they are met with understanding and given support where necessary.

People with dementia describe a dementia friendly community as one that enables them to:  

• find their way around and be safe
  
• access the local facilities that they are used to and where they are known (such as banks, shops, cafes, cinemas and post offices)
  
• maintain their social networks so they feel they continue to belong.

Where can I find more information about dementia and dementia friendly communities?

The Alzheimer’s Society is leading the concept of dementia friendly communities and has developed a national recognition process.  The East Riding is already recognised as a dementia friendly community with much work having been done previously to develop a Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) for the area of which several council services are members.  Here is more information from the Alzheimer’s Society about dementia-friendly communities:

Alzheimers Society website (external website)

What is dementia? - Factsheet (pdf 546kb)

How can my organisation or business become more dementia-friendly?

Any organisation can develop an action plan to become more dementia friendly, the East Riding Dementia Action Alliance website provides more information including contact details:

East Riding Dementia Alliance (external website)

Dementia Friends can play an important part in creating a dementia friendly community

This Alzheimer’s Society programme aims to change people’s perceptions of dementia through a one-hour information session, either online or face to face, delivered by a Dementia Friends Champion. Accessing Dementia Friends Sessions, holding a bespoke session for staff or allowing key staff members to become Champions and deliver the session are often part of an organisation’s Dementia Action Alliance Plan.

For more information visit the Dementia Friends website:

Dementia Friends (external website)

The Local Government Association has also created resources and guidance:

Dementia friendly communities: Guidance for councils (external website)

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has developed an environmental checklist to help with creating a dementia-friendly physical environment:

Dementia Friendly Physical Environment Checklist (word 234kb opens in new window)

How can I support an employee who is diagnosed with dementia?

See this video for Occupational Health guidance for employers supporting an employee with a diagnosis of dementia to live well and remain in the workplace:

How to be a dementia friendly employer - (YouTube external website)

Where is there more information for people with dementia and their carers? 

Information about local support in Hull and the East Riding is available on the Dementia East Riding website:

Dementia East Riding website (external website)

Further Information about the Alzheimer’s Society Support programmes can be found here:

Alzheimers Society - Our Dementia Programmes (external website)

Alzheimers Society - Personal Choice Programme (external website)

East Riding Libraries

Read Yourself Well

Improve your mental health, increase daily brain training and reduce the risk of dementia.

Find out more about your local library and the tools they have that you need to take control of your own health and wellbeing. Join in our groups and make friends to stop loneliness and learn new skills. What are you waiting for? Get well and stay well with East Riding Libraries.

Get well and stay well with East Riding Libraries (external council website)