Crieff to join list of dementiafriendly places

A Perthshire town is set to join the growing list of dementia-friendly communities.

Richmond House, which runs the Drummond Terrace care home of the same name in Crieff, is extending its services to provide support to those who are living at home as well.

In addition to developing friendship groups and health walks, the charity Richmond Community is aiming to make Crieff a more welcoming place for those living with dementia.

Richmond Community’s executive officers Colin Crawford and Alison Kindness are urging local shops, cafes and restaurants to think about becoming accredited as a dementiafriendly business.

They are also inviting those caring for someone with dementia or those who would like to get involved in creating a dementia-friendly community to join a steering group to help take the plan forward.

“A lot of people are living with dementia and we want to find out how we can make their quality of life better,” said Colin.

Alison explained that anyone can become a‘Dementia Friend’.

She said:“It’s just about understanding a bit more about dementia and the small things that can be done to help people living with dementia.

“We have linked in with Alzheimer Scotland and they are willing to do Dementia Friend training, which is an accredited support for businesses or anyone else who is interested.

“There are lots of ways that businesses can make things easier for customers with dementia.

“For example, if a cafe has a shiny floor, someone with dementia may find that difficult to walk on as they think it is wet.

“It’s not just big changes but small things can make a big difference to those with dementia.

“It’s an hour’s training for local businesses to sign up to and then they become a dementia-friendly business and can put the accreditation in their window.

“Individuals who do the training also get pin badges to show they are a dementia friend.”

Colin added that Richmond Community has funding from the Communities Recovery Fund which businesses can apply to for funding for dementia-friendly improvements.

Alison added:“It’s about equipping people with knowledge and understanding of dementia.

“We are also looking for people with dementia and their carers to find out what they find particularly difficult in Strathearn – is it the fact that steps are all the one colour making them difficult to negotiate; are handrails the same colour as the wall so they can’t see them; is there difficulty in identifying toilets?

“These are just some examples of difficulties faced by those with dementia.”

To find out how to get involved, email dementiafriends@ richmondcommunity.org