RCC19 – Dementia Friendly Area in a GP Surgery
Proposer: Emily Cross – Keepsake for Life
Funding allocated: £2,000
The Proposal
In line with objectives of our local Dementia Action Alliance to provide comfortable environments and services for people suffering from dementia, we want to pilot a scheme to develop “dementia friendly areas” within our local medical centres. We believe that this action has the potential to improve customer service and raise awareness of dementia, encouraging more people to talk about it.
We also wish to test out the potential benefits of a homely décor with appropriate, helpful signs to decrease stress and confusion, improve relaxation in the waiting room area of a medical centre.
What we achieved!
Following a difficult search for a local medical centre who would participate in our pilot scheme, we finally found a supportive doctor’s surgery in Laceby. The practice manager understood the potential benefits and was keen to get involved to help improve services and understanding of dementia sufferers.
Soft colours now provide a peaceful atmosphere. We installed patterned curtains and a large clock so that sufferers will easily see the time. We purchased functional signs with both pictures and writing to decrease misperception of instructions.
Partnership work with a local youth scheme, enabled us to engage the support of young volunteers to complete the paint work in the waiting room.
There were multiple additional benefits to this small project. The young people reported an increased awareness of the problems and solutions for improving life for people with dementia.
The surgery, which was quite an old building, benefited from a little updating
We opened the new area with a launch in June to help to further improve dementia awareness locally.
There has been good feedback at the surgery with people commenting that the environment is nicer, more relaxing and homely.
Sustainability
We are now exploring ways to encourage more doctor’s surgeries and larger medical centres to take our lead and make some improvements to improve more the lives of more demential patients and increase awareness in our borough. Following our experience with finding surgeries to embrace this project, we anticipate a challenge from some, particularly the larger medical hubs, who may need to consider their resources, in view of recent investments in newer centres.