Dementia

Although most people with dementia are older, it can affect people of all ages. Dementia describes a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain, which impacts thinking, behaviour and ability to perform everyday tasks.

How do you create a dementia-friendly community?

People living with dementia are at the heart of all dementia-friendly communities, sharing their experiences to help create an inclusive community for all. You can be an individual, a group, a business or organisation, anyone can make a difference.

Some simple steps you can take to get started:

1. Listen and learn from people living with dementia

Talk to people in your community living with dementia and learn what they need to feel supported and included.

2. Become a Dementia Friend

A Dementia Friend is someone who wants to gain a better understanding of dementia so they can support people to live well with dementia.

3. Join a dementia-friendly community group

People like you are making their communities more friendly for people living with dementia. Find a dementia-friendly community near you or get inspired to start your own.

Visit the Dementia Australia website to find out more.

A dementia-friendly Woollahra

A dementia-friendly community is one where people with dementia are supported to live a high quality life with meaning, purpose and value.

Everyone from organisations, businesses and community groups to individuals can play a role in building a dementia-friendly community by learning more about dementia. Become a Dementia Friend, undertake dementia training, and visit Dementia Friendly Communities to learn how you can help make a difference to someone with dementia.

The Woollahra Dementia Alliance, supported by Woollahra Council and Holdsworth Community, meets bi-monthly to progress an action plan to make Woollahra more dementia-friendly, by raising awareness of issues faced by local people with dementia and taking actions to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers.

You can watch a recording of their event, Living Well With Dementia.

If you would like to get involved, please email community@woollahra.nsw.gov.au, or call 9391 7191.

Local services and activities

• Holdsworth Community
  Offers a range of tailored, dementia-friendly activities and programs.
• Memory Disorders Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital (Please note a GP referral is required)
• Prince of Wales Hospital Cognitive Disorders Clinic
• Uniting War Memorial Hospital  - Geriatric Flying Squad Phone: 0408 855 156
• The Cottage Dementia Day Centre, Darling Point
  Providing social support to people living with dementia through a dynamic day program of great fun and good company

National services

• National Dementia Helpline - Call 1800 100 500.
• Dementia Australia - The peak body in Australia providing support and advocacy.
• My Aged Care - Starting point access Government support to stay at home.

Useful information

Getting around

• National Public Toilet Map 
• Driving and Dementia - warning signs, responsibilities, tips and alternatives to driving.
• Mobility Parking Permit

Mobile apps

• Dementia Friendly Home App - Ideas to make your home more accessible.

For Carers

• Caring for the Carer is a short video from the National Dementia Helpline.
• CareBlazer provides dementia information, tips and support.
• Dementia Australia Get Support provides information, advice and support, no matter what your experience of dementia.
• Carers Allowance is available from the Australian Government. Find out more at Services Australia.
• Carer Gateway Forum is an online peer support service where you can connect with other carers, find useful information and gain emotional support.
• Preparing for a Natural Disaster(PDF, 1MB) - Guide for using RediPlan for carers of people living with dementia (Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration).
• Dementia Australia Counselling Services - 1800 100 500 (free call). Free, confidential, professional counselling for individuals, families, couples and professional carers at all stages of a dementia journey. Face-to-face, phone or video conferencing.
• The National Dementa Helpline - 1800 100 500 (free call). Information, advice, service navigation, emotional support and guidance.

Safety

• Next of Kin Register - A NSW Police program where you can register personal information so that in an emergency, police can contact your next of kin if needed.

About younger onset dementia

• Information and resources from Dementia Australia.

General resources

• The Dementia Australia Hold the Moment podcast is full of real stories about life after a dementia diagnosis.
• The Dementia Australia website has information about dementia and tips on how to support someone who is agitated or aggressive.
• Dementia Australia - professional development and training.

Council's role

Council has been supporting ageing and disability services for many years, with the provision of community facilities and the allocation of grants and subsidies.

We are working towards making our libraries and other facilities and public spaces more accessible, and a number of Council’s staff across different teams have attended training run by Dementia Australia. We are also proud to support the Woollahra Dementia Alliance.

The Dementia Friendly Communities - Organisation Toolkit(PDF, 2MB)  is a resource to assist businesses to become dementia friendly.