This Council notes that:

·       Dementia is one of the biggest health issues facing the UK

·       In the UK, 850,000 people are estimated to be living with dementia

·       This condition will affect one in three people over the age of 65, that figure is predicted to rise by two thirds by 2030

·       Dementia is an umbrella term for a set of symptoms that might be exhibited by people living with one of any number of diseases of the brain; it is not a natural part of aging

·        Dementia is not just about losing your memory; it can also affect thinking, communication, inhibitions, and everyday tasks

·        With the right care, support and understanding from those around them that it is possible for someone to live well with dementia and to continue to contribute to community life.

This Council commends the work that has been done so far in our Borough by for example but not limited to:

·       Age UK Faversham and Sittingbourne

·       Alzheimer’s Society Kent & Medway

·       Argo Life & Legacy Ltd

·       BlueBird Care

·       Dementia Inspired Ltd.

·       Helpd Ltd

·       Isle of Sheppey dementia friendly community forum

·       Kent County Council

·       Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS)

·       No Place Like Home

·       Pulse Cafe

·       Sittingbourne Dementia Friendly Community Forum

·       The Forum Shopping Centre

·       Oasis Academy

This Council realises that as a public service there is more that it could be doing to support our community living with Dementia and the Council commits to:

·       All new Council staff appointed to customer-facing roles and all future members of this council participate in Dementia Friends training as part of their induction.

·       Existing staff in customer-facing roles participate in Dementia Friends training within twelve months.

·       All current members and the Council’s Strategic Management Team to participate in Dementia Friends training within 12 months.

·       Environmental checks are carried out in Swale House to ensure that the building is Dementia friendly.

·       Carry out a review of Council employment practices to ensure that best practice is being followed in offering staff living with dementia, or caring for a family member living with dementia, appropriate ongoing support and flexible working arrangements.

·       To write to Secondary schools in Swale to urge them to include information about living with dementia in the local Personal Social and Health Education curriculum delivered to pupils to help develop their understanding of dementia.

·       To work closely with existing DAA members to create supportive working relationships.

·       To become a signatory of the National Dementia Declaration

·       To commit to not using disempowering language in communications and press releases for example: “victim”, “suffering from dementia”

·       An annual progress report to be brought to Council to coincide with Dementia Awareness Week in May of each year.

Proposed by:  Councillor Hannah Perkin

Seconded by:  Councillor Derek Carnell

In proposing the motion Councillor Hannah Perkin highlighted that dementia was one of the biggest health issues facing the UK with 850,000 people estimated to be living with dementia.  She said that the condition would affect one in three people over the age of 65, and the figures were predicted to rise by two thirds by 2030.  Councillor Perkin said that there was a lot the Council could do to support those living with dementia to live a fulfilling life for as long as possible and in helping friends and family members who were supporting people with dementia in the Borough.  She explained some of the effects that Covid-19 had on those living with dementia including detachment from their family, and she spoke of personal experience.

Council Perkin drew attention to the positive relationships formed with partner agencies undertaken by Councillors previously and said that the motion was a step forward in carrying out further work in raising greater awareness and understanding of dementia.  She thanked Paul Murray from the Oasis Academy and Alison Carter from No Place Like Home for their assistance in the motion.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Derek Carnell reserved his right to speak.

In the debate that followed, Members gave an account of their personal experiences with dementia and made points which included:

·       Supportive of the motion;

·       thanked Councillor Perkin for bringing the motion forward;

·       with informed understanding many living with dementia could lead fulfilling lives;

·       highlighted activities, organisations and networks that assisted in dementia;

·       pleased that the motion focused on awareness and breaking down prejudices;

·       SBC needed to look at ways to help organisations be more effective in assisting those with dementia;

·       suggested lobbying for better day and residential care;

·       drew attention to the work of the Dementia Café at Oasis Academy;

·       gave praise to the organisations listed in the motion that gave support to residents in the Borough;

·       praised care homes and their staff;

·       supported education of the wider community; and

·       spoke of the impact of leading healthy lives in a good environment had in delaying the onset of dementia.

Councillor Perkin thanked Members for their input.

Resolved:

(1)  That Council note the information at the bullet points in the first paragraph of the motion.

(2)  That Council commend the work that has been done so far in the Borough by the organisations listed in the second paragraph of the motion.

(3)  That this Council realises that as a public service there is more that it could be doing to support our community living with Dementia and the Council commits to:

-        All new Council staff appointed to customer-facing roles and all      future members of this Council participate in Dementia Friends      training as part of their induction.

-        That existing staff in customer-facing roles participate in DementiaFriends training within twelve months.

-        That all current members and the Council’s Strategic Management Team to participate in Dementia Friends training within 12 months.

-        That environmental checks are carried out in Swale House to ensure that the building is Dementia friendly.

-        To carry out a review of Council employment practices to ensure that best practice is being followed in offering staff living with dementia, or caring for a family member living with dementia, appropriate ongoing support and flexible working arrangements.

-        To write to Secondary schools in Swale to urge them to include information about living with dementia in the local Personal Social and Health Education curriculum delivered to pupils to help develop their understanding of dementia.

-        To work closely with existing DAA members to create supportive working relationships.

-         To become a signatory of the National Dementia Declaration.

-        To commit to not using disempowering language in communications and press releases for example: “victim”, “suffering from dementia”

-        An annual progress report to be brought to Council to coincide with Dementia Awareness Week in May of each year.