/VB Exploring Dementia Friendly Communities Avril Dooley Grassroots Coordinator The Alzheimer Society of Ireland October 25 th 2012

Take a moment to think about... What does the word community mean to a person with dementia? Where do people with dementia meet in their community? How do people with dementia engage in their community? Who does the person with dementia engage with in their community? Why does the meaning of community change when a person receives a diagnosis of dementia?

What do Dementia Friendly Communities (DFC) mean to the Person with Dementia?

What People with Dementia told us.... Every day I go for a walk and a coffee is good. Routine is important. I have good neighbours that drop in for a chat and check in with me. I stay positive because I made a decision to keep a positive attitude. Tell people you have dementia, they want to know

I was told to stop everything, told to stop doing the things I liked. You lose confidence It is hard at times because of the things you can no longer do. You definitely feel different. I took a step back when I received the diagnosis – I felt unsure about my ability.

Why do we need DFC? Address the social exclusion and stigma of dementia People with dementia and their families have reported that their world shrinks when a diagnosis is received People and communities avoid dementia because they do not know how to respond We must work at removing the barriers for people to participate in their community

What do we mean by DFC?  DFC are about transforming our villages, towns, cities and communities into better places to live for people with dementia  It is not about setting up ‘new’ services, but instead supporting the existing community to become dementia friendly and inclusive

Key Activities of Dementia Friendly Communities 1.Developing educational and awareness tools for key people living and working in the community 2.Volunteering - Develop a buddy system for people living with dementia using community volunteers 3.Creating appropriate environmental factors by removing barriers for people with dementia 4.Enabling the engagement of people with dementia and their families in their communities

“Must haves” of Dementia Friendly Communities  Community development approach  Direct engagement of people with dementia and their families  Equity of approach  Partnership

Where are we now?

Community Action on Dementia in Mayo Launch 2012 Genio Projects

Dementia Aware Donegal

Other areas interested in DFC Kilkenny Clare South Dublin Sligo

Social Clubs

The Alzheimer Café

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Social Inclusion Week

Where to from here.... The Future for DFC Build the appropriate structures led by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland in partnership with the relevant stakeholders

Continue to promote the development of community supports for people with dementia and their carers

Share the learning from other Dementia Friendly Communities projects

Develop a toolkit of guidelines on how to develop Dementia Friendly Communities

Thank You! For More Information: Avril Dooley