Council signs up to Dementia Action Alliance

The Alliance encourages and supports communities and organisations across England to take practical actions to help people living with dementia, and their carers. It is also focused on helping people to live longer in their own homes, avoiding the need for residential care or hospital treatment whenever possible.

Cllr Derek Poole, Rugby Borough Council's equalities champion, said: "Research shows that while public awareness of dementia is high, understanding about it is not. People fear dementia, meaning that there is a reluctance to ask for help.

"While we won't be able to change this on our own, signing up to the Dementia Action Alliance sends a very strong signal that we want to do the best that we can for people with dementia, and their carers.

"And if we can encourage other organisations to make their services more customer-focused and tailored to individual's needs, as we are doing, then our hope is that we will be able to make a significant difference to the quality of life of all of our residents with dementia."

Independent reviewers recently confirmed that Rugby Borough Council already has a good understanding of the communities that it serves, and provides customer-focused services that meet their needs.

By signing the National Dementia Declaration, Rugby Borough Council is committing to create an environment where people with dementia will be able to say:

• I have personal choice and control or influence over decisions about me
• I know that services are designed around me and my needs
• I have support that helps me live my life
• I have the knowledge and know-how to get what I need
• I live in an enabling and supportive environment where I feel valued and understood
• I have a sense of belonging and of being a valued part of family, community and civic life
• I know there is research going on which delivers a better life for me now and hope for the future

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting around 496,000 people in the UK. The term 'dementia' describes a set of symptoms which can include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning. These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged by certain diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer's disease.