A SURVEY has been conducted to find out how the quality of life can be improved for dementia sufferers as Tavistock strives to be the first dementia-friendly town in the UK.

The Tavistock Dementia Action Alliance will be launched in the town hall on December 17, putting the voices of people with dementia and their carers at the heart of the community.

Chairman of the new alliance Tony Parker said much work had been done behind the scenes to establish what local residents with dementia and visitors to Tavistock needed.

He said:?'While earlier national research gave us some indicators of where the needs of those with dementia and their families and carers lay, we wanted to ensure local people and their families clearly identified Tavistock issues.

'The Tavistock Memory Café has been particularly valuable in assisting us with our trial survey and we can now start to tackle the many and various problems highlighted.'

Nationally there were four main areas of concern which the Prime Minister focused upon when he issued a challenge to the voluntary sector to create dementia-friendly communities last year — from the physical environment to the availability and accessibility of local facilities, support services, and local groups, including social organisations.

Mr Parker added:?'What was recognised was that there can be a social stigma resulting from the perception, rightly or wrongly, of dementia as a severe mental illness which, at best leads to embarrassment and, at worst, social isolation.

'Although overnight we can't eliminate the current stigma attached to dementia, we can tackle ignorance and incivility by heightening awareness and understanding of dementia.

'There are many practical things we can do, from providing briefing and training for shops, businesses and social clubs to having a shop or stall in the town centre acting as a central point of information and help.'

In the pilot survey in Tavistock many of those with dementia and their carers highlighted relatively simple and basic things that would enhance their quality of life in the town from 'carrying an ID card for when I get lost' to 'more seating in shops' to 'clear signage in town' to 'availability of toilets' to 'having a friend to go out with for a cup of coffee'.

One of the areas the alliance feels it can make a significant impact is through engaging with businesses in the town through the chamber of commerce.

'How shop and business staff respond to people who may be experiencing dementia type problems can make a real difference.

'People with dementia tell us repeatedly that it is the attitude of those they encounter in their communities which has the biggest impact on their lives in their community,' said the alliance chairman.

The work of the alliance will continue. Early in 2013 the training and briefing process will start with those businesses who wish to support this initiative.