17/5/24

A new resource to help residents in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan understand how to reduce their likelihood of developing dementia has been launched today, during Dementia Action Week.

The guide - ‘Reducing your risk of developing dementia', provides information about some of the risk factors associated with developing dementia and how making changes now can help keep your body healthy and prevent damage to your brain.

The guide which has been produced in partnership by Dementia Friendly Cardiff, Dementia Friendly Vale and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, was launched at a special Dementia Friendly Cardiff Festival at Llanover Hall.

A council spokesperson said: "Research shows that it is possible to reduce your likelihood of developing dementia and it‘s never too early or too late to take action.

"We hope that this guide helps raise awareness that making small lifestyle changes now can have a longer term impact on people's likelihood of developing dementia. The guide also signposts to local support and information that can help people to take the suggested actions."

Cllr Eddie Williams, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health, said: "Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK are impacted by dementia - it can affect anyone at any time.

"This is a fantastic resource which we have collaborated on and we hope that this will be valuable to residents across Cardiff and the Vale in demonstrating that even the smallest of lifestyle changes can have a big impact on your future health."

The guide will be available in Hubs and Libraries, as well as other community locations, across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

A range of organisations and services to support people living with dementia and their families were at the Dementia Friendly Cardiff Festival, including; the Council's Independent Living Services, Wellbeing Support Service and Telecare/Meals on Wheels, as well as the Forget-me-not Chorus and the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Dementia Action Week (May 13 - 19) is Alzheimer's Society's biggest and longest running awareness campaign. Each year, individuals and organisations across the UK are encouraged to ‘act on dementia'.

Dementia Friendly Cardiff is a partnership between Cardiff Council, Alzheimer's Society Cymru and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, working to make Cardiff a Dementia Friendly city.  The movement encourages and supports organisations, local businesses and community groups in the city to become more dementia friendly and provide better support for people living with dementia and their families.

This resource has been made possible through Welsh Government grant funding and the support of the Cardiff and Vale Regional Partnership Board.

Executive Director of Public Health for Cardiff and Vale UHB, Claire Beynon, said: "It is so important to take care of your health. This resource highlights how we can all reduce our risk of dementia in the future by up to 40 per cent by taking the simple steps in this guide."

The Dementia Friendly Cardiff website www.dementiafriendlycardiff.co.uk is another useful resource providing details of events in the local community, as well as a wealth of advice and resources to assist people living with dementia and their carers to access the support they need.