A partnership project between Cardiff Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cardiff and Vale Regional Partnership Board and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board aims to raise awareness that, contrary to many beliefs, developing dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing.
A booklet has been produced, highlighting the key modifiable risk factors identified in the Lancet report, and communicating four key messages:
- Getting older does not mean that you will get dementia.
- You will not necessarily get dementia because a family member has.
- You can take action to lower your risk of developing dementia.
- It is never too early or too late to take action
Information about each risk factor is provided, with corresponding localised signposting also listed, to support people to make positive lifestyle changes. 17,000 booklets have been printed, and many locations across the region have been (and continue to be) supplied with hard copies, including GP surgeries, Hubs and libraries, leisure centres, community centres and religious venues.
Stocking the handbooks has also been embedded into the Cardiff and Vale dementia friendly communities pledge scheme, with organisations able to choose this as one of their dementia positive actions. This has helped practice raising awareness of dementia prevention in Cardiff and Vale.
This has helped to widen the reach of the messaging, as the resource has been made available to customers of cafes, book shops, hairdressers and more. The handbook is also available digitally on the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board website, alongside the easy read version.
Currently in Welsh and English, the booklet will soon be available in Arabic, Bengali, Urdu and Somali. Work is also in progress to create short, 30-second animations in all six languages to signpost to the booklet. The team are encouraging everyone, no matter their age, to download a copy of the booklet to learn more.
To request a supply of booklets (if based in Cardiff/Vale), contact [email protected]
Or via the Cardiff and Vale UHB Website here