A new campaign challenging people to Rethink Dementia will be
launched today by the Scottish Government in partnership with
COSLA.
To help address the stigma around the illness, people are being
encouraged to continue doing everyday activities with friends or
relatives diagnosed with dementia. Research shows that making
this effort to include people in social activities can help them
stay well for longer as well as alleviate symptoms such as
depression, anxiety and apathy.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care said:
“When a friend or relative is diagnosed with dementia it's
natural not to know what to do. It can be an upsetting and
daunting time, but it's important for all of us to play a
supportive role in helping our friends and family.
“One of the key elements in the Rethink Dementia campaign is
asking us to think differently about a dementia diagnosis. There
are many practical steps we can take to help the people closest
to us to lead fulfilling lives and stay well for longer.”
COSLA's Health and Social Care Spokesperson Counsellor Paul Kelly
said:
“This new campaign is a clear call to us all to think differently
about dementia and those with a diagnosis. It highlights very
clearly the simple ways that we can support people with dementia
to stay connected to their local communities.”
Dr Tom Russ, an NHS Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist and
Researcher at The University of Edinburgh said:
“Over the past 20 years I've engaged with hundreds of people who
have been diagnosed with dementia, and often they will withdraw
from social activities, which can have a negative impact on their
overall wellbeing.
“For anyone with friends or relatives who have been diagnosed
with dementia, it's vital to stay in touch to help them maintain
their usual social activities, or even try something new
together.”
Background
Dementia affects an estimated 90,000 people in Scotland, 3,000 of
whom are under the age of 65.
For more information on supporting someone with a dementia
diagnosis, please visit: ReThink Dementia | NHS
inform
The Rethink Dementia multi-channel campaign goes live on 4
September across TV, cinema, radio, press, digital, and out of
home advertising, supported by a PR campaign. You can view
our campaign film here https://youtu.be/82cLVZaoskI
Case study
Irene, 61, was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's at 53 and
was surprised by the reaction of some of her friends. “When I was
first diagnosed my friends weren't being themselves. Some friends
just walked away but others stayed, and some were behaving
differently. I had to remind them that I was still the same
person that loves going to the gym, having fun, and gossiping
about the things we always did. Being able to still do these
things together really helps me.”
