Dementia awareness

There are an estimated 1,700 people aged 65 and over living with dementia in the Dover district and figures predict this will increase by around 70% to 3,000 people by 2030.

Dementia is the most common cause of death in women and second most common in men. Some 38% of people in the UK know a family member or friend with dementia.

People affected by dementia can face many difficulties. We are committed to helping to improve awareness and understanding of dementia within our communities and have become the first district council in Kent to be officially recognised by Dementia Friendly Kent as a ‘working to become dementia friendly’ organisation.

We aim to support the district to be an inclusive and accessible place where people can live well with dementia.

Dementia is not a single illness, but a group of symptoms caused by damage to the brain. You should look out for:

memory loss, such as remembering past events much more easily than recent ones
problems thinking or reasoning, or finding it hard to follow conversations or TV programmes
feeling anxious, depressed or angry about memory loss, or feeling confused, even when in a familiar environment.

If you are worried you or someone you know might have dementia, you should first talk to your doctor. An early diagnosis may help you get the right treatment and support in place in good time.

There is also a lot of useful dementia information on the NHS website, which explains what dementia is and how it can affect people.

Read more about dementia on the NHS website (opens in new tab)

In Kent, there are local organisations that offer support, advice and guidance if you have dementia or if you care for someone who has dementia. There is also a 24-hour dementia helpline offering emotional support for people with dementia and their carers in Kent and Medway.

Dementia Helpline - 0800 500 3014

Five simple ways

Respect and dignity - focus on what the person can do, not what they can’t.
Be a good listener and be friendly - support and accept the person, be patient.
Do one little thing - cook a meal or run an errand, it all helps.
Make time for everyone - partners, children and grandchildren will be affected. Could you do something to help one of them?
Find out more - understanding dementia makes living with it easier.

Practical tips

Encourage them to keep a notebook or diary for things such as appointments, to do lists, thoughts and ideas
Keep important things like money, glasses and keys in the same place
Put labels on doors and cupboards
Place important numbers by the phone where they can be seen easily
Put a note on the back of the door as a reminder to take keys
Label family photographs, both on display and in albums
Pin a weekly timetable to the wall
Mark a calendar with the date or get an electronic calendar that changes automatically
Write reminders to lock the door at night, turn the gas off and put rubbish out on a certain day.

There are products you can buy which are designed to help with memory problems – telephones where the buttons are replaced with photos of people, and pill boxes with compartments for different days.

An occupational therapist may be able to advise you on what things could be most helpful. You can find out about an occupational therapist through your GP or Kent County Council’s Adult Social Care Team.

Contact KCC's Adult Social Care Team (opens in new tab)

Publications

The dementia guide: Living well after diagnosis (opens in new tab) (Alzheimer's Society)

More than 2 million people have signed up to become 'Dementia Friends' in England. Launched by the Alzheimer's Society in 2013, the initiative aims to change the way we all think, act and talk about the condition.

Find out how you could become a Dementia Friend (opens in new tab)

Dover District - Dementia Friendly Communities

Find information on local initiatives including the Dover District - Dementia Friendly Communities Partnership, by following the link below.

Read more about Dementia Friendly Communities

Dementia awareness

Five simple ways

Practical tips

What is good for the heart is good for the brain

Publications

Dover District - Dementia Friendly Communities

Keep Me Posted

Dementia awareness

What are the signs of dementia?

Helping someone with dementia

Preventing dementia

Sources of information

Become a Dementia Friend

Keep Me Posted