Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the integration of dementia patients into community activities in Solihull constituency.

Whilst the Department does not promote specific clubs or societies for people living with dementia and their carers, we recognise that clubs and societies can be important in supporting people to engage with their community and reducing social isolation.

Local authorities are also required to provide or arrange services that meet the social care needs of the local population, including unpaid carers, under the Care Act 2014. It is the responsibility of integrated care boards to work with the third sector in their geographical area to offer services that meet the needs of their population.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Quality Standard on Dementia, published in June 2019, includes guidelines for offering activities, such as exercise, aromatherapy, art, gardening, baking, reminiscence therapy, music therapy, mindfulness and animal assisted therapy, to help promote wellbeing.

There are a number of local initiatives provided via third sector charitable organisations that focus on support for those within their community living with dementia, allowing them to engage more closely with the communities they live in. For example, within Solihull there is a Dementia Café facility and the opportunity to attend a Singing for the Brain event.