15 March 2019

Lakeview Care Home host Dementia Action Alliance committee

In a bid to create a more dementia friendly community in the areas of Lightwater, Windlesham and Bagshot, three care managers have come together to set up a local Dementia Action Allliance.

The Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) is a group of over 150 national organisations across England who connect to share best practice and take action on dementia. The members use their collective expertise to influence government policy and radically improve the lives of those living with dementia.

Jane Knight, who works at Lakeview, our care home in Lightwater, came up with the idea of launching a local Dementia Action Alliance after realising that there wasn’t one in the area.

She then joined forces with Home Instead owner, Maggie Martin and Director of Communications at Sunrise of Bagshot, Melanie Grigg, to create a steering committee where people could come together and share their ideas.

The steering committee was kicked off with an initial meeting at Lakeview Care Home on Lightwater Road recently, where those involved discussed ways to make the community more dementia friendly.

Amongst the attendees was the Mayor of Surrey Heath Cllr Dan Adams and Cllr Jarmila Yu.

Customer Relationship Manager, Jane Knight said: “We are delighted to have been able to host the first meeting to create a Dementia Action Alliance in three local villages.

“Living with dementia affects everyone in a small community, so the more people, businesses and services that are aware of the small things we can do to help those living with dementia, the better.

“Dementia rates are set to rise steeply with our ageing population, so this is more important now than ever before. It is important for our society to understand ways to help people living with dementia to live the lives they love for as long as possible.”

LBA Representative and local Windlesham Parish Councillor for Lightwater East Jarmila Yu said: “As a community working together we can go a long way towards removing the stigma associated with Dementia. That combined with some other small and simple adjustments will allow us to give an improved community experience for those living with or impacted by Dementia in our village.

“It’s up to us and we can easily make a difference. I’m pleased to see such a positive response to the objectives of the initiative already from residents, local community groups, health workers and local businesses, and the initiative has not yet even fully launched.”

For further information or if you wish to join the next committee meeting, please contact Jane Knight at Jane.Knight@hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk.

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