What is Dementia?
Dementia is caused by lots of different diseases of the brain. Alzheimer’s is one of them. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing, though you are more likely to get it if you’re over 65.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia are growing problems. It is estimated that Dementia will affect 850,000 people in Britain by 2015. And it is not generally realised that this is a problem that does not only affect older people. Men and women of all ages may become sufferers. The total cost of dementia to society in the UK, including healthcare costs, social care and the contribution of unpaid carers, is £26.3 billion.
I know through my casework as a Councillor how many problems sufferers and their carers have to struggle with. Their lives are very hard, and I want to do all I can to help.
So, in my capacity as the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Adult Social Care in Southwark I recently attended a conference organised by the Alzheimer’s Society. I undertook training to become a ‘Friend of Dementia’. I am now going to take the next step: training to be a Dementia Champion. With this extra training I will be qualified to speak on the subject and help train other people.
The Alzheimer’s Society has developed a wide range of campaigning tools to help Dementia Champions to raise awareness and prompt appropriate action. I will be using this expertise, with the aim of forming a Dementia Champion Alliance in Southwark. I will be talking to local businesses, community groups and, of course, colleagues in the Council, and I hope to be able to make improvements in Southwark for all sufferers and their carers.
Every councilor meets with the residents of their ward and beyond. We will, therefore, be meeting people with dementia, their carers and family members. By understanding what challenges and difficulties are faced by people with dementia, we can use our local powers to design services, support carers and make our areas dementia friendly environments.