TWO Irish organisations in Leeds have come together to help the city become a Dementia friendly community.
As part of the Irish in Britain’s Cuimnhe campaign Leeds Irish Health and Homes has teamed up with the Leeds Irish Centre to help reduce the stigma around Dementia.
As well as engaging partners within the community in Leeds, both groups will jointly host an information afternoon on Sunday, October 12 from 1- 4pm where people can find out more about Dementia, the services available and what to do if you know someone with the condition.
LIHH CEO Ant Hanlon said: “Dementia is an indiscriminate illness and doesn’t come to you because of your race, gender or sexuality. And yet, the Irish community have the greatest proportion of older people compared to other ethnic groups so there is a greater propensity for us to know older Irish people experiencing Dementia.”
He added: “What we have to do as an Irish community is to let Irish people experiencing Dementia, their carers and their families know that they can talk to people, visit the same pubs, clubs, churches, shops that they have always done and that the céad míle fáilte will still be there for them because we will be more aware of how to meet their needs. We as a community should be aiming to become more Dementia friendly.”
