Dementia Friendly Community Action Plan Launched

Dementia is a National Health Priority with a significant increase in the number of people living with the disease projected over the next two decades and no immediate expectation of a breakthrough in science providing a cure. Council has recognised that in collaboration with both State and Federal Governments, Local Government has a meaningful role in addressing the needs of people living in the community with Dementia and their families and carers. The action plan outlines a number of activities that Council can assist with in supporting those impacted by the affects of Dementia.

The Dementia friendly Action Plan_Oct 2016(345 kb) was endorsed by Council at it’s meeting held on Tuesday October 25th. The Plan brings together actions that Council can deliver that support people with dementia and their carers and families, it also highlights activities that seek to address some of the physical and mental health risk factors surrounding dementia, largely involving healthy levels of exercise and social activities.

The latest advances in treatments are aimed at aiding early detection, delaying the progression of the disease in some patients and reducing severity of some impacts. As such we expect the number of people with dementia living in the community and being cared for through community support services to increase substantially into the immediate future. Hence , it is very important that people living with the disease can feel confident and supported within their communities.

Council is bringing together a partnership with Alzheimer’s Australia to deliver support including information, presentations and support groups. The presentations will include information for people living with dementia, carers and families and also for the wider business and other community groups on how they can support people living in the community with dementia. These first presentations are planned for March next year and will be widely promoted throughout the district.

Council libraries have recently been stocked with a new supply of books covering various topics around Dementia and living with the disease.

Council also has commenced investigating establishing a community garden in Barmera which would have dementia friendly design incorporated into the layout and features. For many people living with dementia, such gardens can bring comfort and benefit their health. Community gardens also are beneficial in addressing some of the risk factors associated with dementia by providing physical and social activity.