Cochrane pledges support in the fight against dementia

Alliance East Belfast MLA, Judith Cochrane, has pledged to take action to help create dementia friendly communities in Northern Ireland. She joined other MLA’s and representatives from Alzheimer’s Society in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, to provide a handwritten statement of the action they will take to support people with dementia and their carers.

Judith pledges to tackle the stigma attached to dementia and raise awareness in her constituency.

Judith Cochrane MLA said: “Alzheimer’s Society was at Parliament Buildings in Stormont to drum up political support for its trailblazing Dementia Friendly Communities initiative to help improve the lives of over 19,400 people with dementia in Northern Ireland.

“A dementia-friendly community is a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected, supported, and feel confident they can contribute to community life.”

Heather Lundy, Dementia Friendly Communities Manager said: “Dementia can happen to anyone and there is currently no cure, but with the right support, people can live well with dementia.

“Alzheimer’s Society is working to create dementia friendly communities in villages, towns and cities across Northern Ireland, to challenge stigma surrounding dementia and increase awareness of how to best to communicate, relate to and support people with dementia.”

Examples of the ways that local shops, banks, and community organisations, including bus drivers, police and emergency services are working towards becoming dementia friendly can be found at http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=2282

ENDS

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