DEMENTIA FRIENDLY, AGE FRIENDLY – WHAT DOES IT MEAN? MAREE MCCABE CEO ALZHEIMER’S AUSTRALIA VIC

ALZHEIMER’S AUSTRALIA VIC Almost 100 staff 120 volunteers Educating >15,000 medical professionals, aged care workers, carers Supporting >12,000 people living with dementia, their families and carers Victoria’s peak dementia body Independent, not-for-profit Member of Alzheimer’s Australia Funded by government and community donations Around 135 staff More than 120 volunteers Metropolitan Melbourne Regional Victoria

WHAT IS DEMENTIA? Dementia - a broad term used to describe a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and physical functioning Alzheimer’s disease - most common form of dementia, approximately 50-70% of all dementia cases Different types of dementia: Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Vascular Dementia

THE AUSTRALIAN CONTEXT Over 332,000 Australians have dementia NOW Almost 1 million Australians will have dementia by 2050

“A dementia-friendly community is a place where people living with dementia are supported to live a high quality of life with meaning, purpose and value” In 2014, people with dementia told us that: WHAT IS A DEMENTIA- FRIENDLY COMMUNITY? 41% Wished they had more social contact with people in the community 48% Have had difficulty communicating with staff in stores 57% Are afraid of becoming lost

DFCs IN AUSTRALIA awareness-month/toolkitswww.fightdementia.org.au/about-us/dementia- awareness-month/toolkits

AGE FRIENDLY.DEMENTIA FRIENDLY. THE SAME THING? Both concepts are about creating an inclusive society that supports everyone’s participation People with dementia have a cognitive impairment and a very different experience of the world Dementia-friendly = age friendly but not always the reverse (e.g. managing perceptual disturbances, confusion, agitation, challenging behaviours, memory challenges is associated with dementia, not ageing) “It is like they think I no longer count and I am not a real person anymore” “A person with dementia can at times be simply a little slower at completing day to day tasks and have as much to contribute to society as the next person” “There needs to be better options for people like me to stay active … If only I could do the things I used to like to do”

AWARENESS AND ACTION Awareness - combat perceptions of stigma in your community: Establish a local dementia alliance Involve people affected by dementia in your planning groups or steering committees Educate your staff Action – embed your community’s priorities into your broader strategies: Take a phased approach to civic works Commit to a specific target that supports an inclusive community Review current commitments from a dementia friendly perspective

A SIMILAR SET OF PRINCIPLES Dementia friendly and age friendly principles include a focus on: Outdoor spaces and buildings Transportation Housing Social participation Social inclusion and respect Civic participation and employment Communication and information Community support and health services

DFCs IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD PrincipleExampleDementia Friendly?Age Friendly? Outdoor spaces and buildings Level non-slip pavements Longer-timed pedestrian crossings Public toilets well signed TransportationAccessible vehicles Easy to read information HousingCan be modified as needed Social participationParticipation with carer or partner Accessible facilities Social inclusion and respectEngaged in decision making Positive media Civic participation and employment Volunteering opportunities Flexible work arrangements Communication and information Plain language that uses words and symbols Community support and health services Clear, accessible information Wide range of services