Throughout May, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is promoting Dementia Action Week (20 – 26 May 2019) to highlight the amount of safety help and advice available to carers, families and those living with dementia.

Organised by the Alzheimer’s Society, the week takes place annually to encourage communities to improve the lives of those living with dementia - working to create a dementia-friendly UK where those with dementia do not feel excluded.

KFRS will be promoting Dementia Action Week throughout May with a number of initiatives, including the release of a new ‘Dementia Support’ booklet and a company pledge to get 100% of all KFRS staff to become Dementia Friends.

Available at all upcoming KFRS events and open days, the new ‘Dementia Support’ booklet will provide families and carers with helpful safety advice when caring for someone who is living with dementia, with tips to help you stay safe at home and reduce the risk of a fire.

In addition, firefighters will continue to urge those living with dementia to book a free Safe and Well visit, which is part of KFRS' ongoing commitment to improve the safety of those living with dementia.

KFRS staff members will also be knitting hundreds of blue flowers in the shape of ‘forget-me-nots’ this May to go on display at Kent Fire and Rescue Service headquarters during Dementia Action Week. 

Sean Bone-Knell, Director of Operations at KFRS said: 

"People living with dementia are sometimes happier living independently in their own homes, but as time goes on everyday risks within the home can become difficult to avoid. If you’re living with or are caring for someone with dementia, our new Dementia Support booklet will provide you with some useful tips and advice that should help you reduce common fire risks. We also urge anyone who is living with dementia to book a free Safe and Well home visit so we can provide practical advice on how to make your home safer, such as fitting working smoke alarms and helping you plan escape routes.” 

“KFRS has provided dementia training for home safety officers and firefighters so they can understand and recognise dementia in their day-to-day work. Our new pledge to get all staff members of KFRS to become Dementia Friends reflects how passionate we are about ensuring as many people in the community understand dementia and the small things that everyone can do to make a difference.” 

Upcoming events

KFRS Community Safety Teams will be attending and offering free fire safety advice at: 

• 12 May – Run, Walk and Push for Dementia at Knole Park, Sevenoaks 
• 14 May – New Ash Green Information Roadshow, Sevenoaks (10am – 12pm) 
• 24 May – ADSS Dementia Event at Dartford Library (11am – 2pm) 
• 24 May – Dover District Dementia Action Alliance at St Margarets Village Hall, Reach Road

KFRS has also teamed up with South East Coast Ambulance, NHS Trust and Kent Police for a West Kent Emergency Services ‘Dementia Event’ on 21 May, designed to educate emergency service staff on dementia support within the West Kent area (event for emergency service staff only).