21 January 2015

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

TWO sessions for Councillors and Town Council staff, and another for 25 members of the public at East Court yesterday, saw East Grinstead take its first steps towards becoming a “dementia friendly” town.

Organised by Jacquie Pond of the charity Dementia Friends , the sessions explained how dementia affects sufferers and those who care for them – and how members of the Council and public can help them manage their illness.
Anyone can be a dementia friend – it just means understanding a bit more about how the illness affects people and doing the small things which can to help them cope with their condition.

People suffering from dementia still want to be part of their community and to feel included, and sometimes all it needs is for someone to give them a bit more time at a check-out, or help them to find the right bus to take home.

Being a good neighbour, being a friend in need, can make a world of difference to people with dementia and those who care for them.

It’s not about fundraising, or volunteering to do anything out of the ordinary – it’s about understanding the problem, and being kind enough to care about it.

To find out more go to https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/