Funding opportunity for dementia friendly communities

Increasing inclusivity and reducing stigma are two of the driving forces behind new calls for community organisations across the nation to apply for funding through Dementia Australia to help them be more supportive of people living with dementia.

Posted December 15th 2017

by Alexandra Stopford

<p>Dementia Australia is offering funding for the creation of dementia friendly environments (Source: Shutterstock)</p> — Dementia Australia is offering funding for the creation of dementia friendly environments (Source: Shutterstock)

The peak body is offering 20 grants of $15,000 which is being made available to non-for-profit and community organisations to implement initiatives to make their programs and spaces more accessible, engaging or inclusive of people living with dementia.

Dementia Australia Executive Director, Client Services Susan McCarthy says she encourages organisations to think about what they can do to support inclusion.

“This could be a physical change, such as a dementia-friendly garden, or installing clear navigation,” she says.

“It could be a modification to existing services or activities to make them dementia-friendly.”

She adds that those living with dementia can often feel socially isolated and says the establishment of the Community Engagement Program, as part of the Dementia Friendly Communities (DFC) program, aims to increase the opportunities of social participation and interaction for those living with dementia.

“Including people with dementia in community activities helps reduce stigma and increases the awareness of dementia as a whole,” she says.

“There are more than 413,000 people living with dementia in Australia, many of whom live in the country and with the support of family, friends and the community continue to do many of the things they did before they were diagnosed.

“I encourage interested organisations to co-design their initiatives with people living with dementia t maximise their effectiveness.”