What is a Dementia Friendly Community (DFC)?       

A dementia friendly community is one that cares about its neighbours; one that listens to the feelings of its residents with dementia; one that sees the signs; one that understands the needs; and one that acts.

A dementia friendly community is a place where people with dementia will live as independently as possible and are valued and respected. It is where they will engage in activities that we all take for granted and will be supported as these activities become more difficult. Where the changes in the person will be noticed, understood, and accepted.

A dementia friendly community is one that has looked at its shops, restaurants, markets, and streets through the eyes of a person with dementia; then does everything it can to make it a place where they can continue to live as independently as possible. When memory changes begin, many become more isolated, which frequently accelerates the cognitive decline. A community that understands dementia will be one that supports and cares for its neighbours who are struggling to deal with loss of memories, loss of the ability to do routine activities, loss of jobs, loss of independence, and loss of self.

The Goals of Dementia Friendly Community are to:

1. Educate the community by increasing awareness and understanding of dementia-type diseases
2. Decrease the stigma of the disease
3. Foster community involvement
4. Improve lives of those with dementia and those who care for someone with memory challenges

In Bury we are aiming to develop Six Township Dementia Friendly Communities in;

Whitefield and Unsworth

• Prestwich
• Radcliffe
• Bury East
• Bury West
• Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor

It is a programme which aims to make sure that people living with dementia feel understood, valued and able to continue to contribute their community. For everyone to enjoy their community we may need to make improvements to areas that other people take for granted. The Bury Township Dementia Friendly Communities will champion these changes for the benefit of people living with dementia, their families and the whole community.

Each group will have their own meetings, set their own actions and priorities, develop an action plan and carry out activities in their local township area. Anybody who lives, works or studies in Bury can get involved.

Each township will have their own web page once they have set out the format of the meetings. Once they have been set up you will be able to find out how to get involved and what activities are taking place local to you. 

The next set of meetings are as follows: 

To be confirmed