In Friesland, the number of people with dementia will grow from 12,000 now to 21,000 in 2040. This enormous increase is one of the greatest challenges for society and the care of the future. Municipalities, but also provinces, play a crucial role in this. Today, deputy Friso Douwstra van Friesland received the focus letter from Alzheimer Nederland.
By focusing on the five points of the 2023 focus letter from Alzheimer Nederland, Friesland can also improve the quality of life of people with dementia and their informal caregivers, while at the same time increasing the number of care-deprived years. For example, by structurally investing in meeting places in the neighbourhood. With activities that are in line with what people with dementia can still do. The meeting place offers structure during the week, a central place and prevents isolation. This also ensures that people need less intensive care and can continue to live in their familiar community for longer.
Dementia-friendly living
Building suitable forms of housing for people with dementia is high on the agenda for Alzheimer Nederland. It is important that people with dementia and their loved ones can live at home in a pleasant way for as long as possible. With care or support nearby if needed. A dementia-friendly environment is very important for this. The province of Friesland is working on living with care and a dementia-friendly community. Nice developments here are the ‘Iepen Mienskipsfuns’ and the recently concluded agreement ‘Together for living and care Friesland’.
Working together in Friesland
Sieta Miedema (President Alzheimer Nederland, Friesland department) presented the focus letter to deputy Friso Douwstra (province of Friesland) on behalf of people with dementia and their carers. Sieta Miedema: “Living at home as long as possible if there is dementia, in a familiar environment with family and friends around you. That is what we are working on in Friesland, together with the province, municipalities and welfare organisations. We need each other to help the growing number of people with dementia.”
Friso Douwstra: “The enormous increase in the number of people with dementia is a concern for all of us. The province of Fryslân wants to stand for its people, to serve as a shield for the weak in society. In all the tasks and responsibilities we have in the field of housing, transport, sports and recreation, we will always have to keep this idea in mind in the coming years. Everyone should be able to participate in the Frisian mienskip.”
