Burntwood Dementia Friendly Community

10/09/2026

Find My Loved One is a free scheme designed to support people living with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other related conditions, as well as their families and carers.

Using an NFC-enabled smartphone, a member of the public or emergency services can access information provided by the person or their carer, helping them to be identified and reunited with their loved ones more quickly should they become lost or confused.

It’s a small device designed to provide greater reassurance, safety and peace of mind. 💚

Find out more about Find My Loved One by following the link in the comments.

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

I’ve been to the launch of 💚 “Find my loved one” today by Lichfield District Community Safety Partnership at Grace Cares in Elmhurst.

This is a free excellent scheme for people who are residents in Lichfield District who are living with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other memory related conditions.

💚 it’s FREE to join
💚 helps if a person becomes lost or confused
💚 there’s NO location tracking
💚 no charging required
💚 available as a wristband, lanyard or keyring
💚 supports families, areas and our emergency services

The Lichfield District Community Safety Partnership are doing some information sessions across the district where you can attend to find out more or even sign up to this scheme. Details are on the poster below.

Graces Cares at Elmhurst will also be holding a stock of equipment as will the council office in Lichfield city centre.

Please make families and friends aware of this new scheme across our district.

10/08/2026

Protect loved ones by providing essential information with the Herbert Protocol, a risk reduction tool for swift response and peace of mind.

05/08/2026

Do you need any funding in the various groups? See ⬇️ elbow

Calling all local champions! 📣 At We Love Lichfield, we are dedicated to helping our local area flourish by providing grants to the small, hard-working community groups, charities, and voluntary organisations that make a massive difference every single day.

Whether you’re based in the heart of Lichfield, across Burntwood, or in one of our wonderful surrounding villages, we want to make sure no deserving project misses out on funding opportunities. But to do that, we need your help to spread the word! 💡

Do you know a local sports club, youth group, elderly support network, or community initiative that could use a helping hand?

Tag any small local charities, associations, or community groups in the comments below so they can find out more about what we do! Let’s work together to connect, support, and help the entire Lichfield District thrive. ✨

https://welovelichfield.com/

20/07/2026

This is a great offer, if you need help with a loved one come along and ask advice

☕ You're Not Alone. Neither Are They. 💜

Are you living with dementia, caring for someone who is, or supporting a loved one on their journey?

Home Instead Cannock and Burntwood's Memory Café offers a warm, welcoming space where people can connect, share experiences, and enjoy time together in a supportive environment.

Join us for:
☕ Free refreshments
🎨 Fun and engaging activities
🤝 Friendly conversation and companionship
💜 Support, guidance and a listening ear
🧠 Visits from the Alzheimer's Society and other dementia support organisations

📍 Burntwood Library
Every Tuesday | 10:00am - 12:00pm

📍 Cannock Library
Every Friday | 10:30am - 12:00pm

✅ Free to attend

A friendly face, a warm welcome, and a place to simply be.

For more information, contact Helena at Home Instead:
☎️ 01543 572349

Please share with anyone who may benefit from this wonderful community resource. 💜

27/06/2026

Do you know how to spot the signs of dementia?

In the early stages, symptoms can be subtle, easily overlooked and mistaken as part of ageing. Memory problems, confusion, or changes in mood and behaviour may not always raise immediate concern.

But noticing these changes matters.

It might not be dementia, but if it is, getting support early can make a real difference. An early diagnosis can help people access the right care, treatment, and guidance when they need it most.

If you recognise any of the signs in yourself or someone you care about, don’t ignore them – take that next step and speak to your GP.

You’re not alone 💙

[Image description: An infographic titled ‘Signs and symptoms of dementia’ features a light grey background and 10 navy blue illustrations accompanying each sign and symptom. From top right to bottom left, they read:Getting lost; Difficulty judging distances; Memory loss; Struggling to find the right word; Becoming easily upset; Struggling to make decisions; Acting inappropriately; Repeating questions and phrases; Putting objects in unusual places and Losing track of time and dates.]

25/06/2026

These services are wonderful

🎵 Dementia Friendly Songs of Praise 🎵

📅 Wednesday 1 July, 10:45
📍 Lichfield Cathedral
☕ Refreshments afterwards

Come and join us for a relaxed Songs of Praise service with plenty of favourite hymns to sing together.

The service lasts around 40 minutes and everyone is welcome.

To find out more or let us know you're coming, email [email protected].

07/06/2026

The science of colours, see below for more useful information 💙

Why does a person with dementia walk past the bathroom?

Why do they say there is no food on the plate when the plate is full?

Why do they refuse to step on a dark rug?

The answer may be hiding in plain sight: color.

As dementia progresses, the brain doesn’t just lose memory. It also becomes less efficient at processing visual information. The brain may struggle to distinguish similar colors, judge depth, recognize objects, and interpret what the eyes are seeing.

This is why the dementia brain often depends on color and contrast to make sense of the world.

A white toilet against a white floor may seem to disappear.

A white plate on a white tablecloth may look empty.

A dark rug may be perceived as a hole in the ground.

A bathroom door painted a contrasting color may suddenly become easier to find.

Color becomes a form of communication.

🔴 Red calls for attention.

🔵 Blue promotes orientation and calm.

🟢 Green supports comfort and restoration.

🟡 Yellow improves visibility and clarity.

The real secret, however, is not color alone. It is contrast.

The dementia brain often sees contrast better than subtle shades. When important objects stand out from their surroundings, the brain spends less energy trying to interpret the environment and more energy engaging with life.

This is why dementia-friendly design is not simply about making a home beautiful.

It is about making a home understandable.

Small changes can make a remarkable difference:

✔ Contrasting plates at mealtimes

✔ Colorful bathroom doors

✔ Furniture that stands out from walls

✔ Good lighting with reduced glare

✔ Clear visual cues throughout the home

When we understand how the dementia brain sees the world, we can create environments that reduce frustration, increase independence, and preserve dignity.

Because sometimes the most powerful intervention is not a medication.

Sometimes it is simply helping the brain see.

“The dementia brain works harder to understand the world. Color is not decoration. It is communication.”

Meri L. Gaumond

brainhealth aging occupationaltherapy dementiafriendlydesign neuroscience