Dementia friendly places
by Katie Brittain
As a researcher I have always had an interest in what makes a place, particularly outside places, accessible and enjoyable for people with dementia. Much research and policy has focused on places that are indoors, for example a person’s home or a care home, and yet the outdoors has huge health and social benefits to the person enjoying them. Many people with dementia live within their own homes and there is a need, and a policy push, to enable people with dementia to carry on enjoying these outside places.
So I ask the question how can we design or shape outside places, such as our cities or our neighborhoods, to support people with dementia to continue to use and enjoy them? I would love to hear about the places that are ‘dementia friendly’, the places people with dementia and their carers enjoy to go, whether this is outside or inside. So if you are a person living with dementia, or care for someone with dementia, or have a real interest in how communities can be dementia friendly then please support this movement and share it with others who may wish to support it too.
Update shared
Dear supporters,
Thank you for supporting this movement around 'dementia friendly places', I'm pleased to say that this has moved to the 'design phase' and you can have your say here:
https://app-movement.com/design/60
I have found the comments left really useful so if there are any further comments about the app please feel free to add more through the link above. I am also keen to speak to anyone about this app and what you feel makes a place dementia friendly as part of this design phase. If you would be willing to talk to me (face to face or by telephone) then please email me or telephone me on the number below:
katie.brittain@ncl.ac.uk
0191 2088738
Thank you again for your support, the more people who use this the more it will become useful for people with dementia and their carers.
Katie
Discussion
isoulsby001 -
A great idea and good luck!
homeinstead senior care -
Hi Katie, Sounds like a great idea I am the owner of Home Instead Senior Care based in the Regent Centre, Gosforth. We have a number of clients in the Newcastle area we strongly believe that our clients should life a full life and lots do with our support of our staff. Staff already share ideas would be great t get more experiences enabling a wider audience. Feel free to come and meet us and some of our staff for their experience
don_pinchbeck -
Some year's back I worked with Sanjeet Pakrasi, a co nsultant psychiatrist and consultant medic who was developing a simple skype type video linking syste for dementia sufferers. I still want to get this on the road as it provides an excellent way of diminishing the issue of loneliness and eventually providing two way real time feedback on health. I think this would linke neatly with your app. There are an increasing number of sufferers.
sandra_hastings -
Hi Katie - I am Sandra, Director of www.silverlinememories.com, a Community Interest Company that provides activities for people living with Dementia. We facilitate weekly Dementia Cafes, a Choir for people with Dementia, Reminiscence Workshops in a specially designed RemRoom and we are currently develope a Social and Therapeutic Horticulture project in Gateshead for PWD. We are also supporting the Dementia Friendly Jesmond initiative. Happy to support in any way...
RK -
Katie. You have our full support.
Chrissie -
It would be ideal if there were clear signage on dementia friendly shops, cafes etc and also clearly marked bus stops and drivers whom can identify if there is a person needing assistance. It is so difficult to visit a cafe with a wheelchair and with someone living with dementia as there is either no room or the environment is unsuitable, a dementia cafe with support for those living with dementia and their carers would be so beneficial.
barbara_douglas -
Katie - I think there could be a lot of interest in this. I will pass it on through my networks and ask people to get back in touch with you.
KatieB -
Mick, I've seen the Dementia Friends campaign and think it's great, I will definitely look to see if they would help me with this, so thank you
KatieB -
Thank you all for your support in this, it looks like it will get to be designed so I'm very excited. Julie, the cafe sounds the perfect thing that can be catalogued on this app once it is up and running and we have a clearer idea of what information we want to capture that is useful for people with dementia and carers, so thank you.
mick_martin -
Please forgive me, Ms. Brittain, but could I just point out that there are several pages where individuals can register as Dementia Friends that would assist in your 'program'. https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/Home/About http://www.dementiafriendsscotland.org/ https://www.facebook.com/DementiaFriends
julie_nattrass -
Hi Katie, this is a marvellous idea. I am sure that I speak on behalf of all of my family when I say we would willingly support this. We have recently discovered a brilliant cafe in Dunston (which is part of a supported living unit, where carers live alongside their clients), we take my dad there as often as we can, it is accessible, friendly and very understanding of my dads condition. It is lovely to be able to take him out and share a cuppa and a cake with him! Well done,
susan_moses -
Wonderful idea. Reminded me that I have not heard anyone asking this question before. I wonder if it would help decrease wandering away outdoors, if there were places they could go and be safe?
maria -
I support the idea in memory of my Nan x
hanya_gordon -
SUPPORTED. 100%
jan_legge -
Ooops missed out I would support this :O)
jan_legge -
What a lovely photo. I think it's a brilliant idea. although I don't care for someone with dementia now my sister's father in law has dementia so I'm still very interested in dementia and mental health
amy_mcpherson -
Love this idea. Will support all the way.
blossom_stephan -
This is a fantastic idea Katie!
sandy_drieschner -
One more thing make sure it will be a world wide app. Dementia friendly spaces in all communities. Choose your country, city etc. So many ideas Katie!
sandy_drieschner -
Such a great idea Katie! I am in full support of this and would love to help in any way possible. I will talk about it at work with my colleagues as well. :)
