Thanks to a £35,000 funding boost, one of the city’s leading charities for the elderly is excited to burgeon its local community programmes for residents living with dementia.

Glasgow’s Golden Generation has welcomed the generous development award from the Life Changes Trust this week — as one of six Dementia Friendly Communities in Scotland given the opportunity to build on its existing activities and new projects.

The charity, which runs three popular day centres across the city — located in Budhill, Battlefield and Woodlands — offers a variety of practical support to older people with a focus on combatting isolation and loneliness in their lives.

Welcoming the news of the financial boost, Lynsey Neilson, Dementia Development Manager with Glasgow’s Golden Generation, says: “The funding will us help improve the physical and mental well-being of people living with dementia, and their families, by supporting projects that increase their participation in stimulating and social activities.”

READ MORE:

Suranne Jones speaks about mother’s dementia

With around 80% of the charity’s service users living with symptoms of dementia, Glasgow’s Golden Generation team have developed a programme that’s reaped rewards and allows the opportunity for people to live as actively and independently as possible.

As the charity looks to build new projects on top of its existing activities, it’s taken all important feedback from the people who know best what goes on at the centres.

Lynsey explains: “Our service users are telling us that they don’t want to move into higher level care settings when they have established relationships with us, so we’re working to make our centres dementia friendly.”

Some of the new activities earmarked for the near future, which aim to provide that inclusivity, involve an introduction to Therapets, a service where the pets provide four-legged therapy and companionship to animal lovers at the centre who are perhaps unable to care for a pet full-time.

Getting out and about, the programme also includes future visits to local museums and landmarks as well as getting green-fingered with some light gardening.

READ MORE:

Bearsden pensioners keep dementia at bay with language lessons

Based on current dementia diagnosis rates, the number of people who will be living with its symptoms in Scotland is projected to double by 2038, with the illness costing our health and social services more in resources than cancer, heart disease and stroke treatment combined.

Reflecting the challenges the illness generates for individuals and families, Arlene Crockett, Director of the Life Changes Trust dementia programme says: “A diagnosis of dementia can lead to social exclusion and isolation, even in cities as friendly as Glasgow.

“Communities that are dementia friendly can help prevent this by providing ways to keep people included and supported. The aim of this funding is to bring awareness about dementia across Glasgow and give people with dementia and carers opportunities that help them to thrive.”