Our dementia friendly program Creating a Dementia Friendly Australia: Educating & Empowering Organisations empowers local organisations to understand and better assist and support people with dementia by enhancing their knowledge, awareness and approach to dementia.

It is a free, national public education program that involves a 30 minute training workshop delivered by Home Instead and is available to any organisations who want to work with us to become Dementia Friendly.

Our pilot program is well underway in Toowong Village, Brisbane and has been very well received by retailers, service providers and management alike. The likes of Wallace Bishop, Kmart, Taking Shape fashion as well as Brisbane City Council library staff have all participated in the training.

Director of Home Instead Australia, Martin Warner said Toowong is just the first of many communities across Australia we can help to become Dementia Friendly.

“The response to our pilot program has been fantastic and we are pleased to be taking our dementia friendly training initiative Australia-wide with workshops in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide in the coming months.”

Some of the feedback shared from dementia friendly participants includes:

“Your tips on dealing with people living with dementia were great.”

“I had no idea dementia was a terminal illness.”

“The statistics amazed me, I knew about dementia but I never knew it was so common.”

“I didn’t realise dementia affected more than just a person’s memory – their behaviour and their social skills too.”

“I have customers with dementia and thought I managed the interactions quite well but the strategies and ideas of how to work better with them were really helpful.”

“There were so many simple, easy changes we identified to be more dementia friendly every day.”

Toowong Village & Tower Marketing Manager Angela Green said the program is a great initiative for the community.

“The centre has been an integral part of the local community for over 20 years. As a cornerstone of the local community, working to become dementia friendly is just one of the ways Toowong Village & Tower can better support our community as a whole.”

Martin Warner said shared their inspiration for the program.

“For over ten years we have been committed to providing leadership, care, innovation, education, advocacy and support for individuals, carers and families living with dementia

“We wanted to extend our efforts in the fight against dementia to include communities.”

“Living in the comfort of your own home and having the understanding, respect and support of the businesses, organisations and community around you can make a huge difference in the day to day life of someone with dementia.”

“Creating dementia friendly organisations is just one small way we hope to make a big difference to the lives of people with dementia.”

Home Instead provides specialist dementia care to support people with dementia to continue living in the familiar surroundings of their home and community environment.  We also deliver a range of specialist dementia training programs, not only for their professional CAREGivers, but also for families, carers and communities.

If you or a local business or organisation in your community would like to learn more about becoming Dementia Friendly, please contact your nearest Home Instead office.