Dementia
What is dementia?
‘Dementia’ is a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain. Each type of dementia stops a person’s brain cells working properly in specific areas, affecting their ability to remember, think and speak.
The symptoms vary depending on the specific type of dementia. They can affect memory, thinking, language, understanding, and judgment.
Dementia can affect a person at any age but it is more common in older people.
Signs and Symptoms
The following signs could be the early symptoms of dementia:
- struggling to remember recent events, but easily recalling things that happened in the past
- struggling to follow conversations or programmes on TV
- having problems thinking or reasoning
- feeling confused even when in a familiar environment
If you have concerns visit your GP, this will help you get the right treatment and support so you can live well for longer.
Dementia Friends
Anybody can become a Dementia Friend. It's just about understanding a bit more about dementia and the small things you can do to help people with the condition. This could be helping someone find the right bus or being patient in a till queue if someone with dementia is taking longer to pay.
Visit Dementia Friends or email wakefielddaa@wakefield.gov.uk.
Dementia Friendly Communities
Wakefield has joined the Dementia Friendly Communities movement. They are actively working towards becoming dementia friendly since 2014/15.
This achievement is the result of many businesses, organisations and groups that have come together to pledge to make that difference and become more 'dementia friendly'. This is done by making simple adjustments to remove barriers for those living with dementia.
Examples of what organisations in Wakefield have already achieved can be found in the Working towards a Dementia Friendly Wakefield booklet.
Interested organisations and businesses should contact Wakefield Dementia Action Alliance by emailing wakefielddaa@wakefield.gov.uk.
You could be awarded with a 'working to become Dementia Friendly' recognition logo and become a member of Wakefield District Dementia Friendly Community.