THE DEMENTIA FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT Adapting the environment for people living with dementia
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS and DEEP 2012 Dementia Friendly Communities: Key principles' and global developments - ADI
WHAT WILL I COVER? Creating a dementia friendly community Alzheimer s Australia what we do, how we help The DEEP project The Dementia Friendly Home app
BUT BEFORE I DO THAT Did you know? There are currently 46.8 million people worldwide living with dementia, the majority of which do not have a diagnosis There are over 9.9 million new cases of dementia each year world wide One new case of dementia diagnosed every 3 seconds 70% of people with dementia are living in the community The World Alzheimer Report 2015: The Global Impact of Dementia
CREATING A DEMENTIA FRIENDLY COMMUNITY The importance of the concept of dementia friendly communities fits with the needs of our human rights and disability rights to be recognised. In the same way as any other person with a disability, we should be supported to remain independent in our Communities for as long as possible. For example, if a wheel chair ramp is provided without hassle, there is no reason why all organisations and environments should not also be designed to be dementia enabling. Kate Swaffer, Chair, Dementia Alliance International
Two underlying fundamental objectives: 1. Reduce stigma 2. Focusing on their strengths, empower people with dementia to feel respected, valued and supported, with the understanding that dementia is a disability
DEMENTIA FRIENDLY COMMUNITY Key outcomes sought by ADI Increased awareness & understanding of dementia Increased cultural & social engagement for the person with dementia Legal and other measure to protect the rights of people with dementia Increased capacity of health care services to respond to the needs of this cohort Actions to improved the physical environment and that s where you come in!
ALZHEIMER S AUSTRALIA ACT what do we offer? The leading dementia service provider in the Australian Capital Territory Independent not for profit organisation Government funding, supplemented by donations and fundraising Member of Alzheimer s Australia federation
ALZHEIMER S AUSTRALIA ACT what do we offer? Social engagement and support groups for people living with dementia Carer services through the ACT Respite Links program and the Mobile Respite Response Team Links to other services Advice & education Bus trips/outings
ALZHEIMER S AUSTRALIA ACT what do we offer? Education and training services, including tailored education & consultation services Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DBMAS) Counselling services Call us: 62550722
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT The 10 guiding principles 1. Unobtrusively reduce risks 2. Provide a human scale 3. Allow people to see and be seen 4. Reduce unhelpful stimulation 5. Optimise helpful stimulation 6. Support movement and engagement 7. Create a familiar space 8. Provide opportunities to be alone or with others 9. Maintain relationships and provide links to the community 10.Respond to a vision for way of life
PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS Physical and sensory changes to the person Maintain well being and identity Support and encourage meaningful engagement Ensure the person feels valued and included
PERSONAL CONSIDERATION Allow the person to make choices and decisions in a timely manner When making decisions consider the best time of day Balance social participation and quiet time for the person Provide appropriate orientation cues and prompts
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Progressive simplification Memory boxes Half-done approach to activities Participation in everyday activities Orientation to the environment Create comfort and securitythe 2 most common words
Creating opportunity for engagement Make the most of wall space and ceiling space Use interactive and sensory items Themed areas
For example Consider colour, contrast & patterns Consider disguising exits and doors and other furniture Highlighting area s
For example
We need to see the environment through the eyes of someone who is living with dementia
When thinking about dementia WHAT S HAPPENING? IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM CHANGE ONLY WHAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED
3D Dementia friendly Home App
USEFUL CONTACTS Enabling Environments deep@alzheimers.org.au Independent Living Centre: 1300 885 886 Professor Richard Fleming rfleming@uow.edu.au 02 4221 3422 Respite and Carelink 1800 052 222 My Aged Care
USEFUL WEBSITES DEEP website: www.enablingenvironments.com.au Dementia Services Development Centre University of Stirling UK http://dementia.stir.ac.uk/virtualhome Alzheimer's Australia http://fightdementia.com.au