Dementia is one of the most important issues we face, as our ageing population increases.

In just ten years, nearly a million people will be living with dementia. Currently, more than 750,000 people in the UK have it, and numbers are expected to double in the next 30 years.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, one in three people aged over 65 will die with the condition.

Although it is primarily associated with older people, dementia isn’t a natural part of ageing – it is the result of illnesses affecting the brain and a significant number of people develop it earlier in life.

Direct costs of dementia to the NHS and social care are in the region of £8.2bn annually. And, as anyone with experience of it knows, it’s a devastating condition that robs people of their lives and puts enormous strain on those closest to them.

Over the next 18 months, a campaign in Bradford will work towards creating ‘dementia-friendly’ environments in the district.

Driven by the Alzheimer’s Society and Bradford Council, it will urge voluntary, private and strategy organisations to sign up to a Dementia Declaration, setting out plans to include and support people with dementia.

Under the declaration, business such as shops and cafes will draw up a charter helping people with dementia, such as employees, customers and service users.

Paul Smithson, services support manager of the Bradford branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, says the aim is to help people with dementia to ‘live well’.

“It’s about inclusion. This is the start of the process to make Bradford a dementia-friendly district,” he says. “Our goal is for organisations, services or individuals to sign up to the Dementia Declaration – to sign up to being inclusive, with a plan or charter setting out how they can work with people with dementia.”

Despite increased awareness of dementia through media reports and advertising campaigns, there are still misconceptions.

“The words ‘dementia’ and ‘Alzheimer’s’ are more in the public domain, but the concept of being able to live well with dementia isn’t out there,” says Mr Smithson.

“Being diagnosed doesn’t mean the end to someone’s life. People with dementia can live well for a long time.

“There are more referrals coming through, and more support systems being set up. Bradford is doing a lot of work in areas such as memory clinics and the dementia advisory service, which is working well in South Asian communities.”

The campaign – part of Bradford’s response to the Department of Health’s National Dementia Strategy, aimed at raising the quality of life for people with dementia, and accelerating the quality, delivery and accountability of dementia care – is backed by Eccleshill-born actor Duncan Preston, who is patron of Bradford Alzheimer’s Society.

The former Emmerdale star says: “The number of people suffering from dementia is growing all the time and people need to acknowledge the illness as a serious problem for our society. It is a devastating disease that wrecks lives and has a huge affect on families.

“People with dementia and their carers face a lot of stigma, and society needs to learn more about the condition and support people within our communities to carry on with their everyday activities for as long as possible.

“We need to help people to live well with their dementia and be accepted and supported as individuals who still have a lot to offer to society.”

Moira Wilson, Bradford Council’s strategic director of adult and community services, says: “The Council is working with its partners to deliver better services to people with dementia as part of Bradford’s response to the National Dementia Strategy.

“We know the number of people with dementia is going up, and we all need to be aware of how best to help people with dementia and their families.

“Some new services starting in the city include memory clinics and support for hospital and nursing home staff.”

Bradford Alzheimer’s Society development worker Jenny Jones adds: “We want people with dementia to live well in the city.

“We also want people to be aware of the services and support available to them. We would like places to be easier for people with dementia to access and also have a wider knowledge of the condition and support available.”

  • For more about Bradford Alzheimer’s Society, ring (01274) 733880, or call the national helpline on 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk.