PLANS are being carried out to create dementia-­friendly communities in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd.

As part of Gwynedd Council’s DementiaGo project, the authority’s healthy living department is working with the Alzheimer’s Association to reduce the stigma that may be associated with dementia to help support those living with the condition.

The authority’s department has received a grant from the Welsh Government through the Intermediate Care Funds, which seeks to help keep people independent and living well in their communities as they age.

As part of the DementiaGo project, the council has organised physical activity classes specifically for people living with dementia and their carers in five leisure centres.

The council says the classes have been a great success for participants.

Ron, 86, who is a carer for his wife who has dementia attends the class in Bala, he said: “The class is great, it gives us a sense of purpose and to get us to go out of the house.

“We have always been delighted to socialise and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone in the group.

“My wife, Eileen, feels a sense of accomplishment when she finished the class.”

See the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News