Dementia Australia awards $95,000 in funding to help 12 communities become more dementia-friendly

A dozen communities from across Australia will benefit from Dementia Australia grants to support efforts to become more dementia-friendly.

Each community will focus on different activities that suit the issues and opportunities in their area, working closely with local people living with dementia.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said dementia-friendly communities play a critical role in encouraging inclusivity, respecting the rights of people with dementia and facilitating access to the services, supports, activities and spaces to which every Australian is entitled.

“An estimated 400,000 Australians live with dementia and of these, it is estimated two thirds of people live within the community,” Ms McCabe said.

“Limited knowledge and understanding about dementia can have widespread repercussions. Most significantly, it may result in people with dementia, their families and carers experiencing stigma and discrimination in a wide range of settings from community and retail spaces to the health care sector.

“These grants are designed to support community-based organisations to actively engage and include people living with dementia as they design and deliver local solutions to make their region dementia-friendly.”

The grants will also support community groups to collaborate with dementia alliances, councils, businesses, and education and community organisations over a 12-month period.

A full list of the community groups awarded a grant of up to $10,000 each can be found below.

Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.5 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.

For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au

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Media contacts: Leisa Hurst / leisa.hurst@dementia.org.au/ 0487 763 459

When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines( 192 kB).

Recipients of the 2023 Dementia Australia Community Engagement Program Grants

ACT

Capital Region Community Services (CRCS), Belconnen, Media contact: Deborah Bampton P: (02) 6264 0200 or E: contact@crcs.com.au

COTA ACT, Hughes, Media contact: Kirsten Cross or Catherine Adcock P: (02) 6282 3777 or E: info@cotaact.org.au

NSW

Community Home Australia, Pennant Hills, Media contact: Nicole Smith P: 0425 619 162

Rotary Club of Gerringong Sunrise Inc, Gerringong, Media contact: Dr Christa Wood P: 0416 202 678 or E: christa.wood@gmail.com

QLD

Cairns & Community Dementia Carers Support Group, Cairns, Media contact: Paris Wilson E: candcdementiacarers@gmail.com

Mirndiyan Gununa Aboriginal Corporation (MGAC), Mornington Island, Media contact: John Armstrong P: 0418 224 953 or E: miart@morningtonisland.com.au

Sunshine Coast Dementia Alliance, Kings Beach, Media contact: Nicole Brunton P: 0423 724 912 or E: admin@nbofficeassist.com.au

Onkaparinga Dementia Friendly Alliance of S.A. Inc., Flagstaff Hill, Media contact: Marion Cohen P: 0438 297 006 or E: odfasa@proton.me

VIC

Kyabram Community and Learning Centre INC., Kyabram, Media contact: Claire Perrella P: (03) 5852 0000 or E: claire.perrella@kclc.com.au

City of Melville, Media contact: Aaron Corlett P: (08) 9364 0198

Football Futures Foundation, West Perth, Media contact: Art Hiemstra P: 0400 966 593 or E: arth@footballfutures.org.au

Swan Valley Memory Café, Aveley, Media contact: Jan O'Shea P: 0419 850 633