Dementia friendly communities are those in which people with dementia have the best possible opportunities to live well.
Local councils; as leaders, commissioners, planners, regulators and service providers have a key role in supporting, facilitating and leading the development of sustainable approaches that enable people living with dementia to live well in their communities for as long as possible. The following resources and links support councils to develop such communities.
Dementia case studies
Demenshare – A Cheshire East project
Meri Yaadain – A Bradford based project which ensures South Asian people with dementia receive the support they need.
Dementia: written guides
This guidance has been produced by the LGA in collaboration with the community interest company Innovations in Dementia. It outlines the important role of councils in supporting people with dementia by creating local dementia friendly communities. It demonstrates how councils are making this happen through numerous case study examples.
An executive summary of the guidance on dementia friendly communities for councils, produced by the LGA and Innovations in Dementia:
The Ageing Well programme in 2012 worked with Innovations in Dementia to produce the publication 'Developing dementia-friendly communities – Learning and guidance for local authorities'. This guide includes details of the work undertaken in Sheffield and Hampshire, tips and ideas, and a useful toolkit for councils to make their areas better places to live for people with dementia.
Dementia videos
Videos produced by Innovations in Dementia:
Other resources
The LGA and Innovations in Dementia guidance compliments the PAS 1365 2015 Code of practice for the recognition of dementia friendly communities in England. This identifies core areas for action and additional resources so that local communities can continue to become dementia friendly. Further information on PAS 1365.
The guidance is also informed by the Alzheimer's Society recognition process for dementia friendly communities. The recognition process is designed to enable communities to be publicly recognised for their work towards becoming dementia friendly.
Living well with dementia: a National Dementia Strategy – from the Department of Health.
Department of Health – information on dementia
Joseph Rowntree Foundation dementia friendly communities Resource Hub includes a number of excellent resources for those wishing to move forward in developing dementia friendly communities.