Media Release: DEMENTIA FRIENDLY TOWNS
Month Year: July 2017
Alzheimer's WA in partnership with the Shire of Manjimup held two workshops on Wednesday 7 July 2017 for stakeholders, business representatives and the public to seek information and feedback on the Shire of Manjimup becoming one of Western Australia's first dementia friendly communities.
Taking place in the town hall, the workshops were facilitated by Alzheimer's WA and included participants from Home and Community Care, Silver Chain, MS Society, Moonya Aged Care, business representatives, medical practitioners, community members and service agencies.
Alzheimer's WA has received Southern Inland Health Initiative (SIHI) funding towards the development of a dementia-friendly WA. The Shire of Manjimup have been selected to pilot the dementia friendly community status.
Shire President Paul Omodei, who attended the workshops said "the workshops were an excellent and worthwhile launch to the pilot project".
The focus of the project is to;
- Address the stigma many people with dementia face;
- Respond to the needs and challenges expressed by people living with dementia in their local community;
- Provide support to businesses in the community to make improvements to their services, procedures and environment to better meet the needs of people living with dementia;
Alzheimer's WA explain that a dementia-friendly community is a place where people with dementia are supported to continue living with meaning, purpose and value. A dementia-friendly community will include at least one or more of the following:
- Businesses that provide accessible services for people with dementia, including staff who understand the disease and know how to communicate effectively with people with dementia.
- Organisations that provide paid work.
- Volunteering opportunities.
- Sporting clubs and social groups that are welcoming and inclusive.
- Adult education facilities that support new learning such as learning a new language or instrument.
- Environments that are enabling and compensate for the disabilities of dementia.
"A community based approach to people living with dementia is recognised in our Friendly Community Plan and our Access and Inclusion Plan. The Wellness and Respite Community Centre under construction will also have a significant dementia friendly focus in both services and design" added Cr Omodei.
-ENDS-
Authorised by Brian Robinson, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Contact Sheri Laba, Public Relations Officer - Contact: 9771 7777
Contact for comment: Shire President Paul Omodei - Contact: 0448 810 773