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Becoming Dementia-Friendly
38th BCCPA Annual Conference
Maria Howard, MBA, CCRCChief Executive Officer
Barbara LindsayDirector, Advocacy & Education
Alzheimer Society of B.C.
Dementia in B.C.
• More than 70,000 people in B.C. are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
• Of these, 10,000 are under the age of 65.
• More than 177,684 British Columbians will be living with the disease in 30 years.
Dementia-friendly organizations
• Provide person-centered care to people living with dementia to be respectful of dignity.
• Support people with dementia to be engaged to the fullest extent possible.
Why become dementia-friendly?
• Create social and built spaces that are stimulating.
• Make people with dementia feel accepted.
• Provide a tailored and optimal level of care.
• Take small actions that mean a big difference.
What is a dementia-friendly social space?
A space where people…•Have respect for a person living with dementia.•Make a person with dementia feel accepted.•Focus on a person’s strengths and abilities.•Support meaningful social engagement.
Myths about dementia
Dementia is not…
• Strictly a genetic disorder.• A disease that only affects
older people.• Normal aging/memory loss.• Preventable.• Curable.• Caused by aluminum.
Dementia disease does not mean…
• The end of a meaningful life. • That a person cannot understand
what is going on around them.• That a person will become violent
or aggressive.
Myths about dementia
What can a dementia-
friendly care setting look
like?
Link to Video
is one in which services understand what
M.S., a caregiver in B.C.
“A dementia-friendly setting
dementia is and how to communicate withpeople who have the diagnosis. It is a place that has meaningful activities that my husband could easily access, and comfortably participate in. It is an understanding community in which having dementia is not a stigma, but where my husband can feel like he is a contributing, participating
member of society for as long as possible.”
15
• Information Bulletins In Touch for caregivers. Insight for people with
dementia. First Link® Bulletin. eContact newsletter for
Society news.
• Support Groups For people with early
symptoms. For caregivers.
• Alzheimer Resource Centres For information, education,
support services and referrals.
• Education Heads Up: An Introduction to
Brain Health Getting to Know Dementia Shaping the Journey: Living
with Dementia® Family Caregiver Series Additional Workshops Tele-Workshops
Alzheimer Society of B.C.
Brainstorming Questions1.If you had to move to a care facility, what would you like your environment to look like?
2.What would be meaningful for your organization to do to become dementia-friendly?
How to create change in your organization?
Building capacity in your organization
• Improve staff knowledge.• Adopt dementia-friendly
policies and practices.• Engage staff at all levels
of your organization.• Involve staff in deciding
on environmental modifications.
Four possible places to start
1. Observe and have walking conversations with residents to see how they experience the environment.
2. Ask staff if there are design features that make their work easier and/or harder.
3. See if lighting is adequate – wear sunglasses one day at work!
4. Review signage – colour contrast, large lettering, realistic and descriptive images.