Dementia NI

Aims
•    Challenge the stigma of having a diagnosis by raising awareness about dementia;
•    Promoting the right for people living with dementia to be involved in decisions that affect their lives;
•    Provide training, education and awareness to organisations and the public on how to best support people living with dementia;
•    Support people living with dementia to raise awareness of dementia in their own right.
 

Dementia NI Empower and Support Groups

The Dementia NI Empower and Support Groups which run throughout Northern Ireland empower people with dementia to have a voice, remain active and part of their community.

Dementia NI members meet on a regular basis to offer each other support through their friendly social gatherings and raise awareness about what it is like to live with the symptoms of dementia. The Empower and Support Groups are a place for people with dementia to come together, share experiences, reflect and provide support to each other.

Raise awareness and challenge the stigma

Dementia NI members use their views and experiences to make positive changes for people with dementia. Members help influence and inform how people can still live well with dementia. Through training and education, the members tell others what it is like to live with dementia, as well as challenge the stigma attached to a diagnosis by raising awareness.

Awareness Sessions

Members give talks to educate others about what it is like to live with dementia. These unique sessions are brought to life as members share real-life experiences of living with dementia and help explain what support they need.

Supported by staff and volunteers who give a background on dementia in the hope that everyone will become more understanding and be accepting of the symptoms.

Tailored Consultations

Dementia NI members play a vital role in influencing how to make communities and neighbourhoods more inclusive for people living with the symptoms and contribute to societal issues which may affect them and others with dementia.

Dementia NI members invite organisations including community groups, sports associations, retailers and various other service providers to consult on how they can make their services, environments, resources and venues more appropriate for people with dementia.

Influence policy and development of good practice

By engaging with various organisations throughout Northern Ireland, members inform them how to make their services, policies and practice more suitable for people living with dementia.

Dementia NI JAM Card

The award-winning JAM Card (Just A Minute) allows people with dementia or other communication barriers to ask for just a minute of patience when they need it. The Dementia JAM Card, for people living with dementia/memory problems, is a discreet way of telling people that they may sometimes need a little extra time and patience.

The Dementia JAM Card is available from Dementia NI free of charge as a plastic card, key fob and as an app for your phone.