Dementia Friendly Aberdeen Project

It is estimated that there are around 90,000 people with dementia in Scotland and though most are old or very old, over 3,000 of them are under 65.  By the age of ninety, people have an almost 50% chance of having dementia.  Alzheimer’s Research UK shows that one in three people born in 2015 will develop dementia in later life.

ACVO would like to see Aberdeen become a city where people with dementia are supported to live lives they have a reason to value – they feel safe, listened to and empowered to do things that are important to them. In partnership with Life Changes Trust we are striving to make this vision a reality.

How do we do this?

Over the last 18th months we have approached over 300 organisations that deliver a service to older people in Aberdeen to promote training and support available across the city. We have also mapped and continue to add emerging dementia provision across the city by locality so all citizens are able to find out what is happening in their area. We produce a bi-monthly Dementia Friendly Aberdeen newsletter which includes local news and celebrates dementia-friendly activities across the city.

If you would like to find out more about the project, contribute to the DFA newsletter or be included on the distribution list email Kaja: kaja.czuchnicka@acvo.org.uk

If you are looking for support for someone living with dementia your first point of contact should be the Dementia Resource Centre: 13-19 King St, AB24 5AA, aberdeendrc@alzscot.org,  01224 644077

If you would like your organisation become dementia-friendly email:  aberdeendrc@alzscot.org. For more information about Dementia Friends sessions visit: www.dementiafriendsscotland.org

Dementia Friends Aberdeen Newsletter

Useful Local Contacts

The Dementia Resource Centre, 13-19 King St, Aberdeen, AB24 5AA

01224 644077, aberdeendrc@alzscot.org

Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Helpline (24hrs/7 days a week)

Freephone 0808 808 3000

Out of Hours Social Work (emergencies)

01224 679025

Hillylands Independent Living Centre

Advice on occupational therapy services and on the most appropriate equipment to meet people’s needs including telecare.

Croft Road, Aberdeen, AB16 6RB

01224 666350 hillylands@bonaccordcare.org

Aberdeen Care and Repair

Advice and practical assistance to people aged 60-years and over, people with disabilities and people with long-term health conditions, to allow them to continue to live within their own homes as independently as possible.

01224 251133, gencareandrepair@castlehillha.co.uk

VSA Carers Support Services

38 Castle Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5YU

01224 212021 info@vsa.org.uk

AFC Community Trust

Activities for anyone living with dementia: health walks, walking football, active reminiscence.

01224 650400 dementiafriendly@afccommunitytrust.org

Articles/Guides/Reports

  • Dementia – A Carers Local Directory – as part of the event “Conference by and for carers of people living with dementia” Life Changes Trust produced a directory  lists services and groups that could be helpful to people who care for those with dementia, listed by the geographical areas pertinent to that event.
  • A Dementia Checklist – as part of the event “Conference by and for carers of people living with dementia” Life Changes Trust produced a checklist to help those who care for someone with dementia to put in place the right systems and support, and where to turn to for advice.
  • Dementia Words Matter: Guidelines on Language About Dementia – for any organisation or individual wanting to understand and use language which those with a dementia diagnosis find acceptable
  • What are Dementia Friendly Communities – The Alzheimer’s Society lists 10 key areas for communities to address if they are attempting to become dementia friendly. All can be useful to organisations striving to be dementia friendly and to provide leadership to their communities on new ways of providing hospitality and inclusion to persons living with dementia.
  • The Role of Congregations in Dementia- Friendly Communities – by Sarah and John McFadden from the publication;  Caring Connections Volume 11, Number 3.  This will be useful for any church wishing to understand what a Dementia-friendly community actually could be and how important their role would be in creating such a community.
  • Circles of Support – are based on effective ways of people keeping in touch which many people use every day and which people have learned over many, many years.
  • Emergency Planning for Carers – Planning for the unexpected can help you figure out who will pick up the pieces when you can’t. Having a plan in place can stop an emergency becoming a crisis and can give you and the person you care for peace of mind.
  • The Power of Stories in Raising Issues – this will help 3rd sector organisations capture their client experiences. It will be helpful for any organisation to use the methodology behind Story telling to reduce social isolation by building connections and for establishing supportive client relationships.