People with dementia in rural communities 'increasingly isolated'

Individuals, rural businesses and farming sectors have a key role to play to help those with dementia in rural areas
Individuals, rural businesses and farming sectors have a key role to play to help those with dementia in rural areas

Two thirds of people with dementia are based in rural areas, with the percentage of older people occupying rural areas as high as 56%, leading many to feel very isolated.

Ahead of Dementia Action Week (21-27 May), the Alzheimer’s Society has launched the first ever dementia friendly guide for rural communities.

It calls on people in rural areas to address isolation for those with dementia to take action and get better support.

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer with someone developing it every three minutes – yet the charity says too many face it alone.

Already over 350 areas have embraced dementia friendliness, ensuring people with dementia are empowered to live a life they want in their community.

The 'Dementia: Rural Communities Guide' details how the double jeopardy of living in a rural community and having dementia means many people feel excluded and disempowered and unable to access support.

The guide has been launched at the Devon County Show in Exeter. Sector representatives from the farming industry discussed the current issues faced by people with dementia in rural communities and the need for these communities to commit to becoming dementia-friendly.

The event heard how individuals, rural businesses and farming sectors have a key role to play to help those with dementia in rural areas.

Initiatives already succeeding in making rural communities dementia friendly include Rural Plus, a campaign that the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs set up in.