Dementia-friendly guidelines an Australian first

Wednesday, 27 July 2016
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• New community resource to benefit people living with dementia
• Project supported by $451,782 in funding from the Liberal National Government 

A new set of guidelines directing the creation of dementia-friendly communities in Western Australia is the first of its kind in Australia.

Launching the Guidelines for the Development of Dementia Friendly Communities, Seniors and Volunteering Minister Tony Simpson said dementia was one of the biggest national and international health challenge facing this generation.

"About 32,000 West Australians live with dementia and it is the second biggest cause of death for Australians," Mr Simpson said.

"It is vital communities have the resources and support to develop community services, programs and facilities in line with established dementia-friendly community principles.

"The Liberal National Government provided more than $450,000 for the creation of these guidelines, which has given hundreds of people the opportunity to tell us what it is like to live with dementia and the challenges they face in the community."

The Minister commended Alzheimer's Australia WA for its work on the project, which would help carers and community partners to understand how people living with dementia experienced their world, and to make the changes needed to ensure they could live well.

"We know about 70 per cent of people with dementia live in their own homes in the community," he said.

"Everyone, from governments and health organisations, to the local supermarket and hairdresser, share part of the responsibility for ensuring people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community."

Fact File

• The Guidelines for the Development of Dementia Friendly Communities was produced by Alzheimer's Australia WA
• For more information, visit https://wa.fightdementia.org.au