Dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive disorders affecting the brain, the most common of which are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. It is more common in those over 65 years of age but can occur in younger people.

Dementia results in a progressive decline in multiple areas of function, including memory, reasoning, communication skills and the skills needed to carry out daily activities. Some people may also develop behavioural and psychological symptoms such as depression, psychosis, aggression, and eating problems, which can challenge the skills and capacity of carers and services. 

It is important to remember you are not alone, over 800,000 people in the UK have dementia.

Dementia Friendly Communities

The Dementia Friendly Communities is an Alzheimer’s Society initiative which aims to create communities around the UK which make daily living and activities easier and more accessible to people living with dementia. 

A Dementia Friendly Community should:

• Improve awareness and understanding around dementia
• Encourage people with dementia and their carers to seek help and support
• Enable people with dementia to feel included, independent and have more choice and control over their lives

Age UK Richmond coordinates the activities of Dementia Friendly Communities in the borough in partnership with Richmond Council. Age UK intends to work with people living with dementia, organisations and businesses to achieve the aims of The Dementia Friendly Communities programme outlined by the Prime Minister's Challenge on Dementia 2020. 

We are encouraging people affected by dementia or organisations and businesses who are keen to become more dementia friendly to sign up to the Dementia Friendly initiative.

The first meeting of Dementia Friendly Communities Richmond members and potential members will be hosted online on Monday 17 May 2021, from 2 to 3pm.

To sign up contact Sara Wilcox at sara.wilcox@ageukrichmond.org.uk or 0203 816 0020.

Further information can be found at Age UK Richmond.

Dementia services directory

This directory gives information on local and national dementia support services and resources. It also provides a prompt for when you start to think and talk about what matters to you to live well with dementia. It may help you to discuss and consider your wishes and plans for the future.

View the Dementia Services Directory (pdf, 5.2 MB)

Woodville Day Centre

Woodville Centre is a council run specialist day centre for adults aged 60 plus who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe dementia.

We provide care in a safe, secure and relaxing environment. We focus on sensory stimulation and combine services to help individuals stay independent as possible for as long as possible. CarePlace has more information about the Woodville Day Centre. 

Richmond Dementia COVID-19 report

This report outlines emerging local learning and makes recommendations about improvements to meet the changing landscape across prevention, diagnosis, and care of dementia in the context of COVID-19.

View Richmond Dementia COVID-19 report (pdf, 13.6 MB)

Further information

More information on dementia and dementia services is available on our Careplace directory.

Find Social Care services