The new normal

A new independent report commissioned by Red & Yellow Care has been launched to show what a 'good life' with dementia could look like.

The report, entitled A good life with dementia, outlines a six-part framework for enabling a 'good life' with dementia – one rooted in universal notions of identity, happiness and fulfillment.

The report draws on the expertise and insights of those working in the field of dementia, happiness and wellbeing as well as primary research with people with dementia and their carers.

The report also examines the areas that people in the UK feel are important contributors to happiness such as independence (91%), freedom to take risks (65%), being supported and cared for (91%), living in the moment (94%) and not living in the past (72%).

'What's striking is that this new framework is actually just stating the obvious,” said Dr Bahbak Miremadi, Founding Director of Red & Yellow Care. “It's about the things we all take for granted, but which are eclipsed by the panic, fear and stigma that have come to surround dementia. We need to get back to core principles if we're going to enable people with dementia to see past their fear, and make the most of what is potentially a long, rich and rewarding time of life,'

'The Good Life with Dementia report not only challenges the stigma and negative attitudes towards the condition, but aims for a more hopeful perspective that we would like to see lead to more optimism in society's approach to dementia.'