Empowering Dementia-Friendly Communities Hamilton, Haldimand
What is this project about and why is it important?
This project is supported by the Canadian Dementia Learning and Resource Network at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada under the Dementia Community Investment (DCI). These funded projects are actively developing and testing tools, resources, and approaches to promote the well-being of persons living with dementia and care partners.
The Hamilton Council on Aging is working in both Hamilton and Haldimand to develop dementia friendly action plans. The project explores how a community with an existing Age Friendly Plan (Hamilton) versus a community without one (Haldimand) can become a dementia inclusive community.
A Dementia-Friendly Community is a place where people living with dementia are understood, respected and supported; an environment where people living with dementia will be confident that they can contribute to community life. The development of dementia friendly communities helps reduce stigma and create inclusive environments.
Who is this project for?
This project is intended for people living with dementia and their care partners, and the broader community.
Resources this project has created
- What We Heard Hamilton, Haldimand Report
- Faces of Dementia Awareness Campaign
- Dementia-Friendly Communities Education Workshops
- Living Well with Alzheimer’s – a quarterly newsletter created by people living with dementia
3 Key Takeaways
This project focuses on:
- Equitable involvement and leadership of people living with dementia.
- Capacity building for development of dementia-inclusive social and physical environments.
- Establishing dementia-friendly approaches in communities to help reduce stigma and create inclusive environments.
Project Details
Location: Hamilton and Haldimand County, Ontario
Duration: 2020-2023
Organization Lead(s): Hamilton Council on Aging
Project Team:
-
Tracy Gibbs, Project Manager
-
Mary Burnett, HCoA Project Lead
-
Shelagh Kiely, Project Coordinator
-
Dr. Wendy Renault, Dementia Friendly Communities Educator
-
Laura Garcia Diaz
-
Phyllis Fehr
-
Susan Goodman
-
Dr. George Ioannidis
-
Loretta Hillier
-
Debbie Keay
-
Nicole Mans
-
Jenny Siemon
-
Dr. Lori Letts
-
Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou
-
Sharon Pierson
-
Anne Pizzacalla
-
Dr. Anthea Innes
Project Partner(s):
- Citizens and a multidisciplinary team of organizations including people living with dementia
- Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton Halton
- GERAS Centre for Aging Research
- Regional Geriatric Program central
- McMaster University
- Haldimand-Norfolk Community Senior Support Services
- Hamilton Health Sciences
- Age Friendly Hamilton Collaborative Governance Committee
-
Tracy Gibbs, Project Manager
-
Mary Burnett, HCoA Project Lead
-
Shelagh Kiely, Project Coordinator
-
Dr. Wendy Renault, Dementia Friendly Communities Educator
-
Laura Garcia Diaz
-
Phyllis Fehr
-
Susan Goodman
-
Dr. George Ioannidis
-
Loretta Hillier
-
Debbie Keay
-
Nicole Mans
-
Jenny Siemon
-
Dr. Lori Letts
-
Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou
-
Sharon Pierson
-
Anne Pizzacalla
-
Dr. Anthea Innes
Project Partner(s):
- Citizens and a multidisciplinary team of organizations including people living with dementia
- Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton Halton
- GERAS Centre for Aging Research
- Regional Geriatric Program central
- McMaster University
- Haldimand-Norfolk Community Senior Support Services
- Hamilton Health Sciences
- Age Friendly Hamilton Collaborative Governance Committee
For More Information
Empowering Dementia-Friendly Communities Webpage
This project is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada under the Dementia Community Investment (DCI).