NEW BEGINNINGS
LEADING THE WAY TOWARDS A DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY AUSTRALIA SUPPORT. ENCOURAGE. EMPOWER.
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ementia Australia’s award-winning Dementia-Friendly Communities program is playing an important role in empowering and supporting individuals and communities to undertake initiatives to improve knowledge and awareness about dementia, reduce stigma and discrimination, and promote social engagement. A dementia-friendly community can be defined as a community of any size and scale where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported. The concept has been embraced and developed on a global scale over the last decade. Around 70 per cent of people with a diagnosis of dementia in Australia live in the community. Communities play a critical role in encouraging inclusivity, respecting the rights of people with dementia and facilitating access to the services, supports, activities and spaces to which every Australian citizen is entitled. Dementia Advocate John Quinn with a Brisbane City Council representative. People living with dementia who are supported to live well in the community are more likely to stay in their homes longer Dementia Australia’s Dementia-Friendly Communities program and are less likely to enter residential aged care prematurely. supports alliances, organisations and initiatives in every state For people with dementia in residential aged care and other and territory. There are currently: forms of supported accommodation, remaining connected to their communities within and beyond their care settings is vital • Over 35,000 Dementia Friends for their physical and emotional wellbeing. • 56 alliances In addition to the clear health benefits, keeping people • 64 Dementia-Friendly Organisations with dementia and their care partners living in a community • Nearly 150 Dementia Friends hosts and 25 on the waiting committed to dementia-friendly businesses and other services list can make a significant contribution to the local and national • Nearly 40 Community Engagement Program projects economy. Continued on page 34
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