With around 50 million people living with dementia around the world, treating and coping with this disease is one of society’s most pressing health issues, and Whiteley residents gathered today, on World Alzheimer’s Day 2021, to share their experiences and explore new ways of helping ensure ours is a dementia friendly community.
Following the successful conclusion of the `Big D` project (a collaboration between our residents, The Whiteley Foundation for Ageing Well and University College London, to raise awareness of and tackle misperceptions about dementia), there is real determination not to lose that momentum despite the impact of the pandemic.
Alison Benzimra, Manager of the Whiteley Foundation for Ageing Well said: “Today’s session to mark World Alzheimer’s Day was a first but important step. After so many months of not being able to get together, I think people really valued the opportunity to meet in person.
“There is a real spectrum of experiences and perspectives in our group, but people are committed to sharing their experience and learning to support each other better as friends, carers and in some cases as sufferers of this disease.
“Residents are really ambitious about change, and it was great to hear so many ideas. It’s easy to get distracted by the need for big systemic change but in reality it’s often the small things that really make a difference to people’s lives – like the buddy system and support group that were suggested today. So, I am hugely positive about the potential for this new group and the impact it could have for Whiteley Village.”
