For those suffering with dementia every action counts.
From being patient in shop queues to visiting affected friends the smallest of gestures can help sufferers feel understood and supported.
These were key messages from a “Dementia Friends” training session at Barking and Dagenham Volunteer Bureau, part of national programme launched by the Alzheimer’s Society.
The programme help people understand what dementia is, how it affects people and how communities can become more dementia friendly.
Hosted by Emdad Rahman the session included role playing exercises on how to help sufferers.
Edmad said: “It’s a great learning experience for everybody. You don’t have to do a lot to help a fellow human being.”
Joan Brandon from the Bureau added: “We run groups for isolated and lonely older people, many of whom have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
“We are having all our volunteers trained as Dementia Friends.”
Anyone interested becoming a Dementia Friend should call 020 3288 2160.
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