Today is World Alzheimer’s Day.
So, we sat down with Vicky Whetstone, our customer independence manager and dedicated dementia champion, to learn more about her role and how Yorkshire Housing contributes to supporting customers with dementia.
Hey Vicky, please can you start off by introducing yourself?
Hello! I'm Vicky, and I’m a dementia champion at Yorkshire Housing. My passion for dementia awareness stems from both personal circumstances and my professional life. Dementia champions like me receive specialised training and then deliver sessions to those interested in becoming “Dementia Friends”. This initiative aims to create more dementia-friendly communities by finding out more about how dementia affects a person, and then armed with this understanding, doing small everyday things that help. Such as, being patient in a queue, or spending time with someone who’s living with dementia.
Can you tell us a bit more about World Alzheimer’s Day and why it’s important?
- The day is observed globally raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Awareness is the first step in addressing the challenges.
- Alzheimer's and dementia can be stigmatised, leading to discrimination and isolation for people affected and those close to them. World Alzheimer's Day helps reduce this stigma and encourages open discussions.
- Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's can lead to better management and improved quality of life for those living with it. The day emphasises the importance of identifying symptoms early.
- It provides an opportunity to advocate for increased funding and support for Alzheimer's research.
- Alzheimer's often places a big burden on caregivers, both emotionally and practically. Recognising their efforts and providing resources for support is a key focus.
How does Yorkshire Housing provide support?
Dementia affects not only individuals but also their families, friends, and caregivers. At Yorkshire Housing, our “help at hand” team plays a vital role in providing support to customers affected by dementia. Their mission is to help individuals remain as independent as possible while maintaining their tenancy. This support goes a long way in easing the challenges faced by those living with dementia.
Within our adaptations team, every customer is person-centred assessed to meet their needs. We promote dementia friendly equipment too, like coloured grab rails. We want to make sure that we provide a safe and stable environment for people with dementia to live as independently as possible in their own homes, while they want to.
How do we raise awareness of dementia and Alzheimer’s within the organisation?
Education and understanding about dementia are at the heart of World Alzheimer's Day. Our adaptations team host lunch and learns in Northallerton, where there are regular sessions held about dementia. This is something I want to offer across the organisation too as an effective way to educate and provide valuable information to those who may be dealing with a dementia diagnosis in their families. Since becoming a dementia champion I’ve had colleagues come to me when a loved one has received a diagnosis, to see if I can help them with the next steps. These sessions would also be beneficial for others to get more of an understanding to help within the business, as well as in their personal lives.
We also want to explore partnerships with healthcare providers, local organisations, and families to increase the support available to individuals affected by dementia. Collaborative efforts will lead to more inclusive and effective care for those who need it.
Are there any statistics showing how many people are living with the disease?
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are currently 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040. Stats also show that more than 55,000 people are living with the disease in Yorkshire. Raising awareness and getting involved has never been more important than now.
Do you have anything else you’d like to add?
I really want to send a message of hope and encouragement to those reading this piece, especially those facing dementia-related challenges.
My dad has early-onset dementia, so this is really close to my heart. While there may be challenges, there is also adaptation, support, and unity among those dealing with dementia. It's not always doom and gloom, and there are resources and communities ready to lend a helping hand.
Please head to the Alzheimer’s website for for information.