DUDLEY borough has retained its nationally recognised dementia friendly status for another year.

The Alzheimer’s Society gives the dementia friendly recognition to communities which demonstrate they are improving inclusion and quality of life for people with dementia in a number of ways.

For the fifth year running the borough has retained the status in recognition of the work of Dudley Dementia Action Alliance, which Dudley Council is a member of along with other organisations including Carers of People Living with Dementia, NHS Dudley (Russell Hall Hospital), Healthwatch Dudley, Home Instead, Halesowen BID and Dudley Carers Network.

The alliance has continued to meet virtually throughout the pandemic and influence people, the community and businesses - and in the last 12 months the group has been able to encourage local shops to allow people with dementia to accompany their carer for essential shopping at a time when nationally supermarkets were discouraging more than one person to shop.

The partnership has also worked with Barclays Digital Eagles to connect them with organisations supporting people with dementia and their carers to help them be more tech-savvy and safe online.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley Council's cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: "With an ageing population and more people being affected by dementia, it’s really important we take action to improve people’s quality of life and avoid people feeling isolated in their communities.

"The work of the alliance is crucial, it brings together like-minded individuals and organisations, which really want to make a difference. It is great news that Dudley borough has been recognised as a dementia friendly borough once again and I congratulate everyone involved in achieving this."

For more information about the council’s dementia gateways go to https://www.dudley.gov.uk/residents/care-and-health/adult-health-social-care/support-to-stay-independent/dementia-gateways/ and people can contact Annette Darby at annette.darby@dudley.gov.uk for more information on joining the Dudley Dementia Action Alliance.

For more information about the signs someone may have dementia, how people can reduce their risk of developing dementia and where to go for help, advice and support go to - https://lets-get.com/ageing-well/dementia/.

Other alliance members include Top Church (Dudley), NIHR Clinical Research Network, Halesowen Rotary Club, Barchester Care Home (Broadway Halls), Advina Health Care (Netherton Green Nursing Home) and Cinnamon Care (Parkfield Grange).