Dementia Friendly Kiama A partnership between University Of Wollongong, Kiama Council and the Kiama Community A partnership between Kiama Council, The University of Wollongong, Alzheimer s Australia and the Kiama Community This project is made possible with the support of NSW Department of Family and Community Service and Local Government NSW
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Worldwide close to 50 million people living with dementia Currently more than 340,000 Australians 24,000 people under the age of 65 It is estimated that more than 300 people are living with dementia in Kiama. Approximately 1 in 3 of those aged over 85 years have dementia 2050 2013
Living with dementia The physical and social environments in which we live do not currently support the participation and wellbeing of people with dementia 5
Dementia Friendly Communities and Organisations A pilot study in Kiama University of Wollongong Global Challenges Kiama Council Alzheimer s Australia
What are we trying to do? We understand that dementia is not just a medical condition and that there are also social implications to living with the condition. We believe a dementia-friendly community is a place that will support people living with dementia to have a high quality of life in the community with meaning, purpose and value. Kiama Council is working with the University of Wollongong and with Alzheimer s Australia to support community action to make Kiama one of the first dementia-friendly communities in Australia. 7
What have we done? Established a local Dementia Advisory Group and Dementia Alliance Research and Consultation Develop an Action Plan Taking Action! 8
Dementia Alliance Local government, community organisations, businesses and schools, reps from Dementia Advisory group Support programs and ensure local ownership of the initiative. Meet monthly initially and then bi-monthly to support, discuss and promote the initiative. 9
Dementia Advisory Group People with dementia (and their carers/supporters) Social and advocacy role Advise and direct the Alliance on priority actions Support social activities for people with dementia 10
Research Activities Interviews with people with dementia and their carers/family Mapping of dementia friendly and unfriendly environments Auditing of community environments Development of an audit tool Focus groups with key stakeholder groups (e.g. retail, hospitality, community and health service providers, service clubs) 11
What have we learnt? There are many positive aspects about Kiama for people with dementia: The majority of community members (87%) agreed that they would like to live in the Kiama area if they had dementia People with dementia are involved in a range of community activities (mostly with a companion): Walking Cafes Interest groups (e.g., choirs) Shopping/banking Cultural Events/Markets 12
What have we learnt? There are some challenging aspects about Kiama for people with dementia: Perceived low community awareness/understanding about dementia Difficulty finding information about dementia friendly services Limited public transport Limited access to / availability of health specialists Potential for small town gossip 13
What have we learnt? There is a need for community education about dementia because: Most community members (76%) know someone with dementia Only 51% agreed that they had a good understanding about dementia About 1/3 of community members thought complex and interesting conversation could not be expected from most people with dementia 14
The Kiama Environment In the environment, there is a need for: Improved access to urban environment (e.g. transport, parking, way finding) Improved access to services (e.g. transport, parking, way finding) Audit, maintenance and upgrade of footpaths and crossings Improved layout and signage in public toilets 15
3. Action Plan How will Kiama become dementia friendly? The Advisory Group and the Alliance will support organisations to become dementiafriendly. A recognition process will be developed for organisations that commit to improving their services and practices to make them more accessible to people with dementia This will be supported through training and resources developed by Alzheimer s Australia in conjunction with the Advisory Group. 16
How will Kiama become more dementia friendly? Raise awareness of dementia through information sessions, public lectures, Dementia Friends Initiative and education opportunities 17
www.dementiais.com.au 19
Expected Outcomes Increased community awareness and understanding of dementia New opportunities for social participation and involvement in the community for people with dementia including volunteering, participation in clubs and walking groups Dementia-friendly organisations and staff will better understand how to communicate with people who have dementia Improvements to the physical environment in the community 20
Tell us your ideas! Stay in touch by signing up for a regular email/newsletter Promote the project spread the word Talk about dementia Join the Dementia Alliance Participate in local Dementia Friendly activities Join the Dementia Advisory Group if you have dementia 21
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For further information please contact: Nick Guggisberg Manager Community & Cultural Development nickg@kiama.nsw.gov.au 0242330444