A CAMPAIGN to make Petersfield a dementia friendly town has gained added impetus in the wake of news that the condition is now the leading cause of death in England.
More than 61,000 people died of it last year the Office for National Statistics has revealed, saying the reason for it becoming the biggest single killer, is mainly due to an ageing population.
Staff at businesses backing the Dementia Friendly Petersfield (DFP) initiative undertake training to learn more about the condition, and how they can help those with it.
Radian Housing staff recently completed their training, and spokesman Tammy Bridger said: “The Dementia Friends training was very useful to myself and my team.
“It gave us a small insight into the lives of those living with dementia, and how small things like being a little more patient can make a big difference.
“It was really useful and more people should have this training, and it has really changed our understanding of dementia."
Meon Valley Travel in Petersfield High Street is another new member, and spokesman Nicki Lahiri said: “Everyone took something different from the training and I know that we will all use it to be more understanding of others both in our professional and private lives.”
Other new town centre businesses now supporting the campaign include All That’s Handmade, Bluebird Care, One Tree Books, Madeleine’s Kitchen, Ann’s Prams and The Townhouse.
It was unveiled earlier this year by East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds, who spent years helping his mother cope with it.
It is aimed at making the town a safe, understanding, friendly and easier place to visit for those living with dementia.
Dementia, including Alzheimer’s, is a disorder of the mental processes, marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired reasoning.
There is no cure, and the condition progressively worsens until the victim can no longer look after themselves.
But until; that happens, those with it can still get out and about, but can suffer bouts of confusion and forgetfulness.
For more information about the campaign visit the website www.dementiafriendlypetersfield.org.uk