How you can show support during World Alzheimer’s Month
September is World Alzheimer’s Month. It is an international campaign to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia as two out of three people globally believe there is little or no understanding of dementia in their countries. This year marks the 8th World Alzheimer’s Month and the month also incorporates World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21.
We think businesses and individuals should do all they can to get involved and raise awareness, so we have put together some ideas for things you can do to show your support:
Spend time with relatives, neighbours or friends
The best thing you can do to show support is to spend quality time with any relatives, neighbours or friends who might have the condition. Why not go for a day out if it’s possible or just spend some quality time at home chatting, crafting, baking, gardening or playing board games/puzzles.
Host a get together in the area
To help raise awareness of dementia, why not host a coffee morning or tea party. This could simply be a way to get people in the area with the condition together, meeting new people and socialising, or you could add a fundraising element to it and raise money for a worthy dementia charity. We’ve popped some more ideas for fundraising events below.
Become a Dementia Friend
This World Alzheimer’s Month, why not sign up to become a Dementia Friend? The Alzheimer’s Society’s initiative, launched in March 2013, is about learning more about dementia and the small ways in which you can help. From telling friends and colleagues about the initiative to visiting someone you know living with the condition.
Anyone can sign up to be a Dementia Friend. Why not get your family to join too? No experience or knowledge of dementia is needed. Sign up to become a Dementia Friend at www.dementiafriends.org.uk.
Host a fundraising event
Businesses and individuals can show their support by fundraising for a local or national charity:
- Organise a bake sale
- Take part in a personal challenge – anything from a walk to a swim or even a skydive
- Host a raffle or quiz
- Host a charity ball.
