My push to make town dementia-friendly

A Droitwich councillor is aiming to make the town more dementia-friendly, inspired by his father's struggle with the condition.

Rick Deller is organising dementia awareness sessions for businesses and community groups, in the hope that people will be more understanding of the condition.

His dad, Graham, 71, started displaying symptoms in his 60s, and is now cared for full-time.

"There are loads of families in the same situation," said Mr Deller.

"My dad can often wander off, or mum and dad will be walking through the street and dad will stop to chat and mum won’t notice, and will have to turn around and find him."

"If people are aware and understand what he’s going through and who he is, they’ll be able to understand [dementia]."

The first session, for community groups, is due to be held before Christmas, after which there will be a second session for businesses.

It is hoped Age UK will run them, and they will be free to join.

Attendees will be trained to recognise some of the signs of dementia, as well as how to communicate with those who have it.

They will also be taught about green hidden-disability lanyards, that many people with dementia wear.

"I think there’s a lot of misconceptions with dementia," said Mr Deller.

"The long-term goal would be to support businesses in making their shops and businesses more dementia-friendly, or more disability-friendly, really."

Mr Deller's mother, Lorraine, is now her husband's full-time carer, and said the diagnosis had been hard.

"He used to be my carer, because I’ve got arthritis of the spine and I've had several hip operations, and sometimes I have to use a wheelchair," she said.

"He's always been there looking after me. The roles have completely reversed."

She added that her son's effort to increase dementia awareness in Droitwich was "wonderful".

"I applaud him, I’m very proud of him. It would make a big difference having people more aware."

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