New Westminster is aiming to be a place where people with dementia and their caregivers are safe, supported and valued.
The dementia-friendly community action plan, endorsed by city council on March 7, includes initiatives aimed at raising public awareness about dementia and helping the city to ensure that its facilities, infrastructure, programs and services are accessible and inclusive of the growing number of people with dementia.
“It’s about increasing public awareness about dementia and also about resources,” said John Stark, the city’s senior social planner. “What we found is a number of people who have dementia or are caring for someone with dementia aren’t fully aware of all the resources available to them, which is really important.”
The city estimates there were about 940 people in New Westminster living with dementia in 2014 – a number expected to soar to 1,830 by 2034.
While senior levels of government have an important role to play regarding issues like home support, affordable and appropriate housing and respite care, Stark said there are many things the city can focus on. He noted the plan has been recognized as a best practice by the Fraser Health Authority.
“As a city, a local level of government does have a play with regards to specific programming and services, but also we want to make sure those people in the community have supports – respite for caregivers, adult day programs for people with dementia and also assistance, where possible, around information,” he said. “Also, there will be a time when those individuals can no longer live in the community, so we have to make sure there are residential care options for those individuals and that those options are affordable.”
New Westminster became the first Dementia Friendly city council in Canada in January 2015, after council members and senior management participated in Dementia-Friends training.
“This is great and the work that you have put in is such a great foundation for us going forward. The need for it is going to be intense in the next few years,” said Coun. Mary Trentadue. “I feel like we are at the foreground of rolling it out and planning it for the need that is going to be there that’s going to double.”
Mayor Jonathan Cote said he was proud when New Westminster became the first Dementia Friendly city council in Canada, but feels it’s even more important that the city develop actions to follow up on that designation. He’s looking forward to seeing how the city can introduce actions that promote a better understanding of dementia and create a healthier city for people with dementia.
What's in the plan?
The Royal City’s newly adopted dementia friendly community action plan includes dozens of actions that will be implemented over a three-year period on a variety of fronts: awareness and education; civic engagement and programming; civic facilities, parks and open spaces; mobility and accessibility; orientation and wayfinding; private development; safety and emergency services; staff education and training; and actions involving advocacy or external funding. These include:
* Recruiting a champion to be the face and spokesperson for dementia in New Westminster. The person could participate in awareness and education events.
* Developing and distributing guides related to creating welcoming spaces, inclusive workplaces and businesses and receptive communities.
* Continuing to provide opportunities for people with dementia to participate in parks, cultural recreational programming as their abilities and needs change.
* Hosting an art exhibit featuring works by people with dementia.
* Ensuring clear directional signage to civic facilities and points of interest.
* Providing a safe and accessible pedestrian system that offers a quality walking experience.
* Recognizing the importance of heritage buildings and historic landmarks with regard to orientation and way-finding and ensure that this is a consideration with regard to their retention or preservation.
* Educating and training first responders on how to recognize and support people with dementia, other cognitive disabilities and mental health disorientation.
* Working with local taxi companies to educate drivers about dementia and to accept rides at no charge for persons who may be disoriented and require transportation to the hospital or a reception centre.
For more information on the Dementia Friendly action plan, visit www.newwestcity.ca.
