It was great to attend the South Ribble Dementia Friendly Conference at the Samlesbury Hotel on Friday 29th April. The event brought together a wide range of organisations, including the Fire Service, Progress Housing, the Police, the Dementia Action Alliance and the Lancashire Wellbeing Service.
Seeing so many different agencies in one place highlighted just how important partnership working is when supporting people living with dementia and other age-related conditions.
The challenges faced by older people
The conference explored many of the issues older people can face, including frequent falls, social isolation and being targeted by criminals. These risks can be heightened for people living with dementia or memory loss, making awareness and prevention especially important.
It quickly became clear how many services and professionals are involved in supporting older people, and how vital it is that these organisations work together effectively. As our society continues to age, the demand on public services is increasing year on year.
For example, a significant part of the Fire Service’s role now involves education and prevention. This includes identifying and reducing fire risks in the homes of older people, particularly those with memory issues who may be more vulnerable.
Falls, safety and emergency support
Discussions around the frequency of falls in the home highlighted the importance of emergency response services. One such example is Progress Housing’s Lifeline service, which ensures that someone can be alerted to inform a relative or attend a person’s home in the event of an emergency.
However, these services often come at a cost, including equipment and monthly subscriptions. This raises an important question about accessibility — what happens when someone who needs this support simply cannot afford it?
For many families, combining practical safety measures with bespoke care in your own home can help reduce risks and provide reassurance that someone is regularly checking in.
Protecting older people from crime
Sergeant Mark Douglas delivered an insightful talk on how criminals may target older people. He explained that offenders often identify where an older person lives and view their property as an easier target.
Reassuringly, Mark highlighted the work his team does to tackle these crimes and the advice they offer to help people improve home security and reduce vulnerability. Simple changes, combined with greater awareness, can make a significant difference.
This is particularly important for individuals experiencing memory loss, who may be less confident in recognising potential risks.
Funding challenges for essential services
A recurring theme throughout the conference was the uncertainty surrounding funding. Many agencies rely on short-term funding or charitable donations, despite providing essential services to vulnerable people.
An example of this is the Lancashire Wellbeing Service, which supports individuals with mild mental health issues, often caused or worsened by social isolation. People are typically entitled to around six hours of support from trained professionals who understand their challenges, provide reassurance and signpost to other helpful organisations.
However, with funding secured for only two years, it becomes difficult for services like this to plan for the future, even as demand continues to grow.
Moving towards dementia-friendly communities
The key message from the conference was clear: demand for dementia-related services is increasing, and people rely on multiple organisations working together to provide effective support. When those services face uncertainty, it creates gaps that can leave vulnerable people at risk.
Building dementia-friendly communities requires long-term commitment, collaboration and a focus on both prevention and care.
If you would like to learn more about how we support people living with dementia, please visit our page on dementia care and support.
Alternatively, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team on 01257 367 404 to discuss how we can help.
