How dementia friendly is Wiltshire?
Download (PDF 4.39 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Wiltshire conducted a survey with 109 people with dementia and their carers who attended community groups and day services. The aim of this investigation was to find out how dementia friendly initiatives are working in Wiltshire and their effect on people living with dementia and their carers.
The report found most people with dementia feel a part of their community. It was highlighted that greater dementia awareness is needed within the community. Respondents suggested that publicity and promotional material are needed to raise awareness. Positive effects were reported for those involved in dementia friendly initiatives and include improvements to physical and mental health, wellbeing, independence and community involvement. These positive outcomes are what people with dementia and their carers deem most useful. Furthermore, volunteers play a key and valuable role in dementia friendly initiatives.
Seven recommendations were made in this report, including that the findings should be shared with dementia friendly initiatives; information about dementia delivery board should be periodically shared with key people involved in dementia friendly initiatives; follow-up with dementia friendly initiatives for those who said they weren't working well; sources of information about dementia should be shared with initiatives; community groups for people living with dementia and their carers should be provided; the contribution of volunteers should be encouraged and supported; and consideration of how dementia friendly initiatives can be supported with communications and publicity.