Council to invest £100K to increase awareness and reduce stigma of dementia

An additional £100,000 is to be invested by Inverclyde Council to help increase awareness and reduce the stigma of dementia.

The Health & Social Care Committee has been updated on the implementation of the local dementia strategy. It aims to improve awareness and support so that people with dementia, their families and carers receive the best possible care.

Convener Councillor Robert Moran said: “We have a higher than average ageing population in Inverclyde with the number of people living with dementia expected to rise over the next 20 years.

“The strategy is already proving effective in allowing more people with dementia to live safely and with as good a quality of life as possible at home or in a homely setting for as long as they and their family wish.

“This additional investment will allow us to build on the work that has already been carried out and to continue to develop services and support within Inverclyde.”

The committee was told a pilot programme co-ordinated by Inverclyde Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to make Gourock a dementia-friendly town is ready to be rolled out across Inverclyde.

The pilot has succeeded in improving awareness and understanding; knowledge and skills within the community; better access to facilities; opportunities to enhance the social life of people with dementia and the health and wellbeing of people with dementia.

The project has also gained interest from the Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce and the local retailers with potential access to over 200 shops and businesses over the next three years.

Councillor Moran added: “There is much to celebrate in our efforts to make Inverclyde as a whole a dementia friendly community.

Already we are seeing a difference when it comes to improving public and professional awareness of dementia and focusing resources where they can make the best difference.

“Ultimately it is about identifying people at risk of developing dementia as soon as possible, providing the appropriate help and support they need, and ensuring they remain a valued and cherished part of our communities.”