Dementia Expert Calls For Overhaul In Public And Media Perceptions Of People Living With Dementia
An expert in dementia care is urging a significant shift in public and media perceptions of people living with dementia, stressing that these people should continue to be seen as valuable members of our communities and advocating for increased efforts to build a more ‘dementia-friendly society.’
September marks World Alzheimer’s Month, with this year’s theme being “Time to Act on Dementia, Time to Act on Alzheimer’s.” The global campaign aims to transform attitudes towards dementia, address stigma and discrimination, and spotlight the positive actions taken by organisations and governments to foster a more inclusive society for those affected by dementia. Hannah Miller, Head of Dementia at Orchard Care Homes, emphasises that the time to act is now.
Orchard Care Homes operates 23 care Homes across the North of England and the Midlands, many of which have specialist Reconnect communities. These pioneering communities adopt a person-centric approach to dementia care in a therapeutic environment, aiming to understand why people exhibit the behaviours they do and adapt support to reduce distress on an individual basis.
Orchard’s Dementia Promise aims to remove the stigma surrounding dementia and encourage positive care approaches, with the overarching goal of achieving true equity and respect for people living with dementia.
According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, an estimated 1 in 14 people over 65 live with dementia in the UK today, highlighting the need to ensure care and support for people living with dementia equates to the care and support afforded to those who do not have dementia.
Hannah emphasises that people who live with dementia must be viewed and treated as individuals deserving of inclusion in their families and communities.
“We cannot let the situation where people are forgotten by society and viewed as lost or burdensome continue” she stated. “People living with dementia still have so much to contribute to society, and it’s our collective responsibility to ensure they can.”
With over a decade of experience in the care sector, Hannah has spearheaded the launch and rollout of Orchard’s comprehensive dementia training programme. Hannah’s bespoke, evidence-based course content is designed to completely reframe how colleagues think about and care for people living with dementia. The training is tailored to both clinical and non-clinical roles across the business.
Hannah believes the media has a crucial role in reshaping perceptions of dementia. “The media often perpetuates fear surrounding the condition, which fuels negative societal views and stigma,” she explained. “We must communicate with hope and positivity to shift this narrative.”
She also urges government officials and policymakers to listen to the experiences of those they aim to help.
“It’s vital that decision-makers consider the perspectives of the individuals affected by their policies. We should not presume we know what’s best for others—they know their needs best.”
