York to be transformed into a "dementia-friendly city"

Dedicated to inspiring social change, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation have announced plans to turn the city of York into the UK’s first ‘dementia-friendly city, as part of a pioneering project to help communities embrace an ageing society.

The York Dementia Without Walls project will draw upon research gathered from investigations into making the most of local resources, combined with support for independent living methods that help to empower individuals with a decline in cognitive ability, alongside plans to raise awareness through campaigning.

Part of the Foundation’s ‘Ageing Society’ programme, the team hope to show how the obstacles set out in the Prime Minister’s ‘Dementia Challenge’ can be met; programme manager Philly Hare explains:

“We need to recognise that what is good for people with dementia is good for everybody. Most people want to try to carry on as normally as possible, for as long as possible, and they will persevere so long as they do not have to overcome additional obstacles or burdens.

“This project has demonstrated how important it is that we all challenge the attitudes, understanding and behaviours around dementia which reinforce stigma, isolation and exclusion. Raising awareness at all levels and in all sectors will help those who provide everyday services understand better what people with dementia need.”

Measures include plans to make the city’s transport and infrastructure comfortable and more accessible, making the most of current leisure, cultural and spiritual resources, and to train staff providing community services to understand more about people diagnosed with dementia. The project will also establish a York Dementia Action Alliance to support the movement, providing networking opportunities for local businesses and tackling the stigma attached to mental health illness, while dementia-friendly services and venues will have their own symbol to display.

Director of care services at the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), John Kennedy, spoke of the challenges ahead and why York is an ideal city for meeting the project’s goals:

“This is an important time for York to become a dementia-friendly place. Despite the tough economic climate, there are a number of opportunities we must seize to achieve this goal. Many are simple changes that can help with everyday tasks – yet they can make the biggest difference in helping those with dementia lead a rich and fulfilling life.

“York has many positives that help achieve this, yet a lot more can be done by pulling resources and services together. Now it requires city leaders – and all of us who live and work in York - to ensure that the positive things become embedded in normal York life, and that more negative experiences are eradicated in the future.”

Image: courtesy of City of York Council's Photostream