Central Coast Council | Ph 03 6429 8900 | Email: admin@centralcoast.tas.gov.au
 

Dementia-Friendly Inclusion Training

Dementia is one of the largest health and social challenges facing Australia and the world.  As well as being the chronic condition of the 21st century it is a debilitating, progressive and ultimately terminal disease and the second leading cause of death of Australians annually and the leading cause of death of women.  Dementia can also be very socially isolating.  The Dementia-Friendly Central Coast project emphasises inclusion and aims to raise awareness of dementia through education and training in order to reduce negative stigma related to the disease.

ENABLING EDIE, IT’S YOUR BUSINESS | VIRTUAL REALITY DEMENTIA EDUCATION

In light of COVID-19 restrictions, the Council are delighted to again provide free, Dementia-Friendly training to the community in 2021, which will help make Central Coast even more dementia-friendly.

The innovative and immersive dementia education by Dementia Australia uses virtual reality goggles to help participants gain a greater understanding of dementia, from the perspective of a person with dementia and their carer.

The Enabling Edie, It’s Your Business dementia education session is suitable for all staff in customer service organisations such as retail, banks, post offices, libraries, clubs and RSL’s, hospitality and pharmacies.

Dementia Australia is facilitating the Enabling Edie dementia education session that is provided to customer service organisations in Central Coast, free of charge. A light lunch will be provided.

Please be sure to RSVP early to Heidi.Willard@centralcoast.tas.gov.au as spaces are very limited. Your business will receive staff badges, a shop front welcome mat and window decal to help customers identify your organisation as being dementia-friendly.

DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY INCLUSION TRAINING | SESSION 1

On Wednesday 3 April 2019, over 30 representatives from business and community groups came together for Dementia-Friendly Inclusion Training. The training has been developed by Tasmanian Health Services with Council and aims to increase knowledge about dementia to reduce stigma and social isolation, and enable people living with dementia and their carers to participate more fully in community life. Providing information about dementia to business and the community can raise awareness of dementia, potentially reducing stigma that often results in social isolation of people living with dementia. Why not test your dementia knowledge now by taking the Dementia-Friendly Inclusion Training Quiz?

Online Dementia Quiz

The training included a workshop where businesses and groups designed their own projects to help make the community more dementia-friendly. Projects included positive responses to use when interreacting with a person with dementia. For example, a slight adaption to the customer service approach such as speaking slowly and clearly can assist people living with dementia and their carers to perform daily tasks and social interactions. Helping a person living with dementia to avoid embarrassing situations can help prevent them from withdrawing from community life.

Business and community groups that successfully put in place their dementia-friendly projects receive dementia-friendly button badges, shop-front window decal and a business entrance welcome mat.  Thank you to everyone who took part in the training and congratulations to those who are now accredited.

191003-Renaissance-Cafe-Penguin-accreditation

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The training featured in Martin Agatyn’s 7AD ‘Health Matters’ interview with Colin Wood from Fullife Pharmacy in Ulverstone. To hear the interview podcast and find out how we can all make Central Coast more dementia-friendly, click on the button below:

7AD Podcast - Dementia

DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY INCLUSION TRAINING | SESSION 2

Following the success of the first Dementia-Friendly Inclusion Training session, Tasmanian Health Services with Council hosted another training session on Wednesday 13 November 2019. The training held in November followed the same format as the first training, with only minor changes based on participant feedback.

Around 20 representatives of local businesses and community groups came together to increase their knowledge about dementia and work towards accreditation as a dementia-friendly business or group.  Thank you to everyone who took part.

The initiative is supported by a grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund.

If you would like to join us in making Central Coast even more dementia-friendly, please contact us on tel. 6429 8900 or via email at admin@centralcoast.tas.gov.au

 

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