What makes a Dementia-Friendly Community? Findings from the Dorset Dementia-Friendly Community (DDFC) project evaluation.
Authors: Heward, M., Cutler, C., Innes, A. and Hambidge, S.
Conference: United Kingdom Dementia Congress
Dates: 10-12 November 2014
Abstract:The Dorset Dementia Friendly Communities (DFC) project involved the development of seven independent DFC initiatives. This paper reports the findings of the project evaluation. A dementia-friendly community is one where people with dementia are empowered to have high aspirations and feel confident, knowing they can contribute and participate in activities that are meaningful to them (Alzheimer’s Society, 2013). Services (such as banks and transport) can create barriers for people with dementia and their carers. Dorset has one of the largest populations of older people and yet one of the lowest rates of dementia diagnosis in the UK. The aim of the Dorset DFC project was to raise public awareness of dementia and to create local Dementia Action Alliances (DAA) within the seven localities. The project evaluation examines the first year of activity in the seven localities of the Dorset DFC initiative. The experiences of people with dementia and their carers, DFC Alliance Workers from the seven localities, and local businesses signed up to the DAA were drawn upon through a mixed methods approach including questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. This paper reports the findings of the project evaluation, exploring how far the Dorset DFC project was able to contribute towards assisting people with dementia to be able to feel supported within their community, and have choice and control of their lives. To ensure the future success of the development of other dementia-friendly communities, this paper shares key learning points, as well as the wider successes and challenges of the project. Examples of good practice drawn from the experiences in the seven localities are also discussed.
Source: Manual
Preferred by: Michelle Heward