First dementia friendly town for Scottish region

Glenrothes is to become the first dementia friendly community in Fife.

This is the vision of a new initiative between health and social care services, Active Fife, Alzheimer Scotland, Fife Forum, Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and Fife Cultural Trust, with support from the local area committee.

The work stems from the Fife Dementia Strategy, which aims to help people with dementia lead independent lives for as long as possible.

There are an estimated 700 people living with dementia in the area.

Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership divisional general manager Julie Paterson said work will begin in the town centre and over time it is hoped it can be extended to surrounding communities.

“The partnership want to support people living with dementia to participate fully in community life as they have always done, using shops, banks, libraries, parks, cinemas, leisure facilities and restaurants,” she said.

“To do this, people will need the support of their community and this needs to be wide-ranging, from businesses and services to parks and open spaces. Everyone has an essential role in supporting and including people with dementia to be part of their community.”

Adjustments can often be small and simple, she added.

“We will be contacting businesses and services and will look at making public open spaces safer for people with dementia.”

Active Fife has already ensured that their walks are dementia friendly and they are now implementing an initiative to improve strength and balance.

“We have a wide network of dementia ambassadors and champions across the partnership that will link into this work as it progresses and we hope to encourage people in the community to become dementia friends,” she added.