Become a Dementia Friend in September - Dementia Awareness Month
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Cardinia Shire Council is encouraging residents to become a ‘dementia friend’ throughout the month of September, also known as Dementia Awareness Month.
Dementia Australia’s ‘Dementia Friends’ campaign is a national program that aims to transform the way Australia thinks, acts, and talks about dementia.
Anyone can become a dementia friend. A dementia friend is anyone who wants to make a positive difference to the lives of people living with dementia, through increases awareness and support.
Cardinia Shire Council is also working in partnership with Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Service and Dementia Australia to create a successful Dementia Friendly Community in Koo Wee Rup.
A Dementia-friendly alliance group has been formed and includes people living with dementia as well as their carers. Their insights and experience is critical to the successful design and development of the Dementia-friendly Communities project.
The alliance is currently working with the local community; businesses, local groups, residents, library services, schools and clubs, to raise awareness and increase understanding of dementia.
With a community focus, individuals and groups will be enabled to make small changes that will help reduce the social and physical barriers experienced by those living with dementia and their carers in their own community.
A key initiative is the dementia-friendly café - Forget-Me-Not. The café is a an opportunity to bring people living with dementia and their loved ones together, to enjoy a social outing and meet new friends in an understanding and supportive environment.
The cafe is the first of its kind for the shire and all residents are welcome to join in. Bookings are essential. Access to information and resources is also available through the café.
Café Details:Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Service Hewitt Eco House Community Room 215 Rossiter Road, Koo Wee Rup Cost: Free Bookings essential: 5997 9792
Next session: 17 September.
To register as a Dementia Friend you can go online to www.dementiafriendly.org.au.
For more information about dementia friendly communities within the Cardinia Shire, visit Council’s website at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/seniors, call the Ageing Well team on 1300 787 624 or email [email protected]