Summary
Public Health England (PHE) and Alzheimer’s Society have released an impressive professional quality “With a little help from my friends” musical video, to raise dementia awareness during the festive season. The aim of this captivating pop video is to encourage people to become Dementia Friends, and thereby help to reduce the stigma and social isolation often associated with dementia. Research by the Alzheimer’s Society has revealed the problems of isolation for people with dementia, sometimes felt more sharply during the Christmas holidays.
“A study by the Alzheimer’s Society, among people affected by dementia, reveals that 71% of carers think that a lack of understanding is causing people with dementia to be excluded at Christmas. Nearly two-thirds of people with dementia (63%) have found that Christmas invitations have dried up since their diagnosis”.
Read more and watch the video:
Reference
Support people with dementia at Christmas, urge Public Health England and Alzheimer’s Society. London: Department of Health / Dementia Challenge, December 16th 2014.
Possibly also of interest, a brief summary of the Alzheimer’s Society research, with practical hints and tips:
Reference
Have a Dementia Friendly Christmas. London: Alzheimer’s Society, December 2014.
The end of year message to NHS staff from the Secretary of State for Health mentions staff becoming Dementia Friends:
Reference
Jeremy Hunt: thank you to NHS staff. London: Department of Health and Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, December 19th 2014.
