Empowering Dementia- Friendly Communities
Hamilton & Haldimand
About the Project
The Empowering Dementia-Friendly Communities, Haldimand, Hamilton is a four-year communities-based project (2020-2023) funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Our goal is to develop, implement and evaluate promising practices, programs and initiatives that improve the quality of life for people living with dementia in Hamilton and Haldimand County.
The Empowering Dementia Friendly Communities Project looks to experience, expertise and leadership of people who live with dementia to learn how we can collectively create more inclusive, dementia-friendly communities.
Making a Difference
Community Consultation
In the first year of the project, we consulted over 300 people affected by dementia in Hamilton and Haldimand County. Learn more by reading our What We Heard Report!
Leadership Teams
People living with dementia are change-makers! We support the leadership and meaningful contributions of people living with dementia in Hamilton and Haldimand that want to work together to improve the quality of life for other people living with dementia in their respective communities. To find out more or to get involved, contact Shelagh at [email protected].
Dementia Friends in Our Community Hamilton
Learn about Dementia Friends in Our Community. Subscribe to: Living Well With Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias: A quarterly newsletter written by people who live with dementia.
Memory+ Inclusive Communities Everywhere (MICE) Haldimand
Learn about the DICE Haldimand Community Art Project to raise awareness about this amazing team’s vision to create inclusive communities!
Free Dementia-Friendly Communities Certificate Workshops
Help build inclusive communities for people living with dementia! If you are a business, organization, community group or individual, we offer a free 1-hour training session online or in-person. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate and be equipped with tools to improve your services and environments for people living with dementia. To register for an upcoming workshop, click below or to organize a workshop for your group/team, contact Wendy !
Faces of Dementia Campaign
Through compelling videos, beautiful posters, and imagery, Faces of Dementia has been crafted in partnership with people who live with dementia around their stories and individual messages that they are so much MORE than their diagnosis.
Strategic Partners
The Empowering Dementia Friendly Communities Project is a collaborative initiative, with leadership provided by people who live with dementia through the Hamilton Council on Aging, working alongside a multidisciplinary team of organizations and experts.
Along with the Strategic Partners listed, we are grateful for the growing number of partnerships and collaborations from many organizations within Haldimand and Hamilton in helping us to build more dementia-inclusive communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Dementia Friendly Community?
Alzheimer’s Disease International defines a dementia-friendly community as a place where people living with dementia and their carers are empowered, supported, and included in society, understand their rights, and recognise their full potential.
How will dementia-friendly communities affect people who live with dementia?
(Answered by EDFC team members who live with dementia)
- We will feel safer and more comfortable going out.
- Our physical environment will be more accessible.
- Local businesses will be educated on how to support us as individuals.
- There may be a decrease in healthcare costs (more community support/services).
- There will be a universal understanding of dementia-inclusive communities.
- Improved health and community services will support people to live as long as they wish in their communities.
How do we hope the Empowering Dementia Friendly Communities Project will positively affect the community?
(Answered by EDFC team members who live with dementia)
- Education and understanding among the public, that people living with dementia are ‘people first’ with much to offer.
- Social acceptance that people living with dementia are intelligent, caring, funny and full of energy. We are no different than anyone else- challenged like everyone else!
- Education and resources to create supportive, inclusive communities for all.
- Changed Perceptions: People living with dementia are valuable to the community- contributing immensely as family members, friends, volunteers, employees, and CHANGE-MAKERS!