Make change happen
To make change happen, a Dementia Friendly Compassionate Community needs to raise awareness of the experience of living with long term health conditions, including dementia in a remote and rural location by setting themselves up as a model of excellence to inform and inspire others:
- Change often begins with one passionate person wanting change, but more importantly via a ‘light bulb moment’ on how to do it.
- To ensure that vision is never lost, it is essential those ideas be transferred onto paper – sooner rather than later – so that everyone is working to the same end.
- Succession planning is also important, especially in a rural area where people, resources and abilities can be in short supply.
- In today’s world, leadership and mentoring can be sought from further afield, i.e. via websites, social media and national organisations.
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
As a result of illness, a regular member of a Well-being Hub unexpectedly found themselves in a hospital 25 miles away. Although they had previously shown little enthusiasm for taking part in activities at the Hub, they were keen to be with their friends at the Christmas dinner, so transport was arranged for them and two others to be at the meal. They thoroughly enjoyed the party and later told staff that they wished they had not wasted three months of their life not socialising regularly at the Hub.
This led to discussion with local hospitals to enable Wellbeing Hub staff to either bring recuperating, but hospitalised members to the Hub or visit them regularly during their stay. The visits have already proved to be of great value to the individual’s well-being and hospital staff – based on knowledge from Hub staff – are learning more about each individual.