How dementia friendly is your church? That’s the question that national Christian disability and disadvantage charity Livability was asking delegates at this year’s Christian Resources Exhibition in Sandown Park, Esher. Livability found that 95% of those they spoke to know someone affected by dementia, but less than one third attend churches that have activities with engage with people with dementia. Livability’s Dementia Friendly Church campaign aims to change this. The charity is launching a research project to uncover good examples of churches engaging with dementia. Gathering stories, as well as drawing on academic and theological reflection, the aim is to resource Christians with everything they need to meet the growing challenge of dementia. Their hope is that local churches will become safe, loving places for people with dementia. Do you know how to talk to people with dementia? How to help them feel safe and welcome? Support those that care for them? Visit www.livability.org.uk/church for some practical advice on how you can be more dementia friendly in your community and to give information on good practise you have seen. Dementia currently affects around 800,000 in the UK, and that number will rise to 1 million by 2020. Livability’s Mat Ray said: “Our snap survey shows that although dementia is an issue that affect so many of us, there are not really the resources in place to offer support within churches. Livability wants to change this and resource local churches so that they can be places of inclusion and participation for those touched by the condition.”
How would you answer the following questions?
I know someone affected by dementia
My church is working to support people with dementia
People with dementia are included in my churches activities
Clicking HERE will help with our research into how we can make our communities more dementia friendly.
Thank you!