The town has the accolade in recognition of the many events and activities that have taken place so far and are organised each week.
They include a dementia-friendly cafe being set up at Number 8, Singing for the Brain sessions in the Methodist Church Hall, Castle Players and others performing at care homes, games for the brain sessions, a dementia garden at The Hub, dementia-friendly church services at the Methodist Church, and dementia swimming sessions at the leisure centre.
A number of businesses and organisations have also been given dementia training so they can help people living with the disease and recognise signs - these include The Witham and the Teesdale Mercury’s editorial team.
However, a number of residents say they don’t want to rest on their laurels. A steering group has been formed, led by town councillor Ian Kirkbride.
An initial meeting took place late last month, when groups and individuals were invited to get involved.
Mr Kirkbride said: “We aim to co-ordinate a number of initiatives that will justify us describing the town as a ‘dementia friendly community’. It’s virtually impossible to talk to anyone these days whose family or friends haven’t been touched by this modern affliction.”
Ideas include giving shops a special card with outline of coins and what they are each worth. They will be given to people with dementia so they can work out cash to pay for goods. A regular feature in the Teesdale Mercury as well as recognisable branding to show which business have dementia training are also planned.
Mr Kirkbride’s wife, Susan, suffers from Parkinson’s disease and says she identifies with problems people living with dementia can suffer.
Mrs Kirkbride said: “I live with Parkinson’s disease and it is difficult for me to describe what this means and how it feels sometimes I say I feel ‘fuzzy round the edges’. Things don’t seem to be quite in focus and I don’t seem to be able to get the messages to the parts of my body that I want to move. To the logical part of my brain, a doorway is an opening to walk through, but to the Parkinson’s part it is a barrier and I struggle to move forward. So I could relate to hearing that those with dementia see a black door mat as a black hole.
“And think how many shops and other buildings welcome you with a black mat. There were other examples of how difficult and confusing the world can be for those with dementia. A carpet with swirling patterns may look like a writhing mass of snakes. When we were young you put a kettle on the gas to boil it, so fires can be caused by putting an electric kettle on a lighted gas.”
The group is urging people to get involved. If you can help, or your shop or business would like to undergo dementia training, contact Mr Kirkbride on 01833 637934.
However, a number of residents say they don’t want to rest on their laurels. A steering group has been formed, led by town councillor Ian Kirkbride.
An initial meeting took place late last month, when groups and individuals were invited to get involved.
Mr Kirkbride said: “We aim to co-ordinate a number of initiatives that will justify us describing the town as a ‘dementia friendly community’. It’s virtually impossible to talk to anyone these days whose family or friends haven’t been touched by this modern affliction.”
Ideas include giving shops a special card with outline of coins and what they are each worth. They will be given to people with dementia so they can work out cash to pay for goods. A regular feature in the Teesdale Mercury as well as recognisable branding to show which business have dementia training are also planned.
Mr Kirkbride’s wife, Susan, suffers from Parkinson’s disease and says she identifies with problems people living with dementia can suffer.
Mrs Kirkbride said: “I live with Parkinson’s disease and it is difficult for me to describe what this means and how it feels sometimes I say I feel ‘fuzzy round the edges’. Things don’t seem to be quite in focus and I don’t seem to be able to get the messages to the parts of my body that I want to move. To the logical part of my brain, a doorway is an opening to walk through, but to the Parkinson’s part it is a barrier and I struggle to move forward. So I could relate to hearing that those with dementia see a black door mat as a black hole.
“And think how many shops and other buildings welcome you with a black mat. There were other examples of how difficult and confusing the world can be for those with dementia. A carpet with swirling patterns may look like a writhing mass of snakes. When we were young you put a kettle on the gas to boil it, so fires can be caused by putting an electric kettle on a lighted gas.”
The group is urging people to get involved. If you can help, or your shop or business would like to undergo dementia training, contact Mr Kirkbride on 01833 637934.
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