Living well with dementia

Important things to know about dementia and how Doncaster is working to become dementia friendly.

What is Dementia

Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities.

There are over 100 different forms but Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common both in Doncaster and across the UK.

The number of people with dementia in the UK reached 850,000 in 2015 and is expected to reach one million by 2025. It is estimated that just over 3,600 people are currently living with dementia in Doncaster, with 2,750 on GP dementia registers.

The estimated cost of dementia care in Doncaster alone is over £43million per year so it is important that we ensure the borough becomes much more dementia friendly.

Five things everyone should know about dementia

dementia is not a natural part of growing old- Wendy first started noticing differences in her behaviour when she was 35. She was finally diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia at age 40. Read more about how Wendy has been living with Dementia.
dementia is caused by diseases of the brain- The most common of these is Alzheimer's disease. Learn how dementia affects the brain by watching this video
dementia is not just about losing your memory- it affects thinking, communicating and doing every day tasks. For advice and more on how dementia affects people visit Dementia Carer website
an early diagnosis is important to living well with dementia- contact your GP id you have any concerns about yourself or someone else. Read about the experiences of local carers
there is more to a person than their dementia- Trevor has dementia, read how it has not stopped him from doing his daily duties.

A simple change can make a big difference to the life of someone with dementia. Learn more by watching this playlist for life video, containing powerful testimonies.

Signs and Symptoms of dementia

There are a number of warning signs to look out for, including:

Memory loss – forgetting names, places, recent events or conversations
Challenges in planning, making decisions or solving problems
Difficulty completing familiar everyday tasks
Feeling confused, even when in a familiar environment
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships – judging distances, not recognising themselves in a mirror
Problems with communication - speaking or writing, struggling to follow conversations
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Changes in mood or personality – may become anxious, upset, suspicious, fearful

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these warning signs, or if you have concerns about dementia, speak to your doctor.

Doncaster is working to become Dementia friendly

With partners we are promoting dementia friendly communities which help people with dementia to live in their own homes, among friends and neighbours to do the things they enjoy for longer. Learn more by watching this video celebrating our work around dementia in Doncaster.

As mentioned above, Dr Trevor Jarvis is heavily involved in raising awareness of dementia. See how Dr Jarvis worked with First Bus to make a video about his experience as a passenger. The aim of the campaign was to increase understanding of dementia among bus drivers.

Watch this short video from Alzheimer's Society to see how small changes help make dementia friendly communities.

The Doncaster Dementia Action Alliance provides support to help local businesses, organisations and local communities become more dementia friendly. To find out more about the alliance and the many services promoting dementia awareness in your area visit the Doncaster Dementia Action Alliance webpage.

To find out about the services available in Doncaster please see the directory for 2022

Dementia Directory for 2022

dementia directory 16pp 09-2022-new Download (2.64MB - PDF)

For more information about the dementia journey and details of all the local support groups, services and care pathways available in Doncaster for people with dementia and their families and carers visit the Doncaster Dementia Roadmap.

#Dementiawords- the language we use to talk about dementia can make a big difference to those living with the condition. Read the guidance below for more information on how to use positive language when discussing dementia: