NALC have united with the Alzheimer’s Society to help the community battle against dementia in local areas. At NALC’s Annual Conference on 31 October, the chairman of NALC, Cllr Sue Baxter, and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador and famous broadcaster Angela Rippon jointly sign a strategic commitment on dementia.
NALC and the Alzheimer's Society believe that local (parish and town) councils have the potential skills and understanding to make their communities safer, more accessible and sustainable for all. We will work together to support those councils to achieve their potential and support their communities to fight against this disease.
NALC by signing up to this very important strategic plan is making the following commitments:
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NALC will work with county sssociations to help our members develop the necessary awareness, skills and understanding to recognise and support people living with dementia in the communities we serve
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NALC will encourage our members to work together and with their local partners to help maintain and improve the general safety, health and wellbeing of people living with dementia, their families and carers
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NALC will support Alzheimer’s Society in their quest to develop more dementia-friendly communities and Dementia Friends in line with the Prime Minister’s Challenge on dementia
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NALC will work with Alzheimer's Society and other recognised experts to share best practice and publicise effective policies, procedures, practices and training
Angela Rippon, Alzheimer’s Society Ambassador and co-chair for The Prime Minister's Champion Group on Dementia Friendly Communities, said: “I am thrilled to see the NALC and Alzheimer’s Society partnership working together - standing united against dementia.
“With a rapidly ageing population and increasing numbers of people living with dementia, this partnership is a fantastic way of using local intelligence on a national scale and ensuring that every community feels supported to improve the general safety, health and wellbeing of people with the condition, and their families and carers.”
Cllr Sue Baxter, chairman of NALC, commented: “NALC welcomes working more closely with Alzheimer’s Society in supporting the work of local councils in communities in helping to alleviate the effects of local people living with dementia.
“Over the last few months, everyone I have spoken to has been touched by dementia. We just want to make every town, village, city or neighbourhood a dementia friendly community like what is happening in many local council areas to enable people to live life to the full. Our ambition is to set up a dementia action alliance in every community.
“There is still a lack of understanding about dementia and this can lead to stigma along with people not seeking support or being aware that there is support out there.”