The Government has announced plans aimed at improving the lives of people with dementia. It wants to train a million volunteers in England to become so-called “dementia friends”, who will be able to spot the signs of the illness and offer help to people suffering from the condition.
The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told Today presenter Evan Davis that the training would help raise awareness about dementia: “It’s really about understanding the condition and understanding how you look after people with the condition.”
He emphasised the importance of “understanding the difference between short term memory loss and perhaps having a very good longer term memory”.
“It’s just making it something that’s a lot more normal in society,” he added.
LISTEN TO TODAY INTERVIEW – Jeremy Hunt reveals Government dementia plan
Find out more about dementia
The more you know about dementia, the more comfortable you will feel spending time with the person with dementia or their loved ones. Dementia can make people behave differently, but once you understand that these changes are part of the illness, you will find it much easier to take them in your stride. Visit Understanding Dementia.
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Gareth looks after all editorial content on 50connect. He is the Swiss Army knife of content ideas and production.
