Becoming Dementia-Friendly

38th BCCPA Annual Conference

Maria Howard, MBA, CCRCChief Executive Officer

Barbara LindsayDirector, Advocacy & Education

Alzheimer Society of B.C.

Help for Today. Hope for Tomorrow…®

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 is the most common condition present in long-term care homes.

Organizations matter

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.

What might not be true about

dementia?

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.”

How is the Society

supporting dementia-

friendliness?

Collaborating with the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

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.

For more information about Dementia-Friendly Communities please contact the

Alzheimer Society of B.C. at 1-800-667-3742

Thank You!