A NEW strategy aimed at supporting residents with dementia has been drafted by Trafford Council.

The blueprint has been produced to identify actions the authority needs to take to improve the lives of people with the disease, their families and carers.

The document states that with an ageing population, more people in the borough will have their lives touched by the condition.

“The sheer number of people affected means that we need to take an inclusive approach to dementia in Trafford,” read the report.

“This will focus on a person’s needs and rights – and support us all in making life with dementia as easy and as positive for patients and carers alike.”

To deliver the improvements, agencies will review all aspects of life with dementia, which includes improving diagnosis rates, support services and end of life care.

The report continued: “We recognise that carers can often be old themselves and that the strain of looking after a person with dementia can cause physical or mental health problems.

“Therefore, to support people our aim is to promote community-led dementia friendly initiatives that involves statutory, voluntary and private sectors working together.

“The goal is to provide a safe, effective and person centred care for people with dementia that involves the support of all local businesses.”

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The strategy, which is due to be discussed by the council’s health and wellbeing board on Friday, stated that people living unhealthy lifestyles had contributed to higher rates of dementia.

These include smoking, alcohol use and physical inactivity – all factors that are associated with other health risks, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

“Knowing at an early stage that there are risks of dementia onset may lead to earlier opportunities for preventative services or for mitigation of impact,” added the report.

“Therefore, the work we undertake and its impact will not be limited to the health and social care sector, instead, we need increase the everyone’s understanding of dementia – and how to prevent it and how to reduce any negative impacts to the individual, their family, and wider society.”