Project lead: Local authorities

• Civil Society Organisation
• Older People’s Association
• Social or health care provider
• Volunteers
• Private sector
• Research institution

How collaboration worked: The Dementia Advisory Group, consisting of people living with dementia and their carers and the Dementia Alliance Group which consists of representatives from local organisations with an interest in dementia and those living with dementia were formed to steer the work of the project. The initial project partners (Kiama Municipal Council, the UOW and Dementia Australia) have provided ongoing support, coordination & guidance including: •Conducting and interpretation of the formative research •Administering the inaugural meetings of the Dementia Alliance and Dementia Advisory Group, establishing membership, terms of reference and providing secretarial support Kiama council and UOW have provided ongoing support in relation to •Funding applications to continue financial support of the project •Applications for various local and international awards •Logo, resources and other promotional development •Development of evaluation tools The project has been and continues to be funded and supported through a variety of grants and organisations. Having the Dementia Advisory Group and the Dementia Alliance group steer and implement the work of the project has ensured it remains focused on the identified need of those living with dementia.

Older people’s involvement: Older people were involved in the age-friendly practice at multiple or all stages

Details on older people’s involvement: Initial research was conducted based on community –based action research principles, with community surveys for the wider community and face to face interviews held with those living with dementia and their carers’. Those living with dementia and their carers’ through the Dementia Advisory Group and the Dementia Friendly Alliance, have since had a primary role in the direction of the project, as well as being involved in peer support, advocacy, evaluation and community education.

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: Yes

Was the impact positive or negative:
Positive

Please share with us what you found in detail:
Highlighted in the evaluation process, was that the success of this project has been attributed to the inclusion of those living with dementia and their carers throughout all stages of the project. In relation to community responses to the 2016 survey in comparison to the initial survey in 2014 suggest that project activities have contributed to improved understanding and more positive attitudes in regards to the capabilities of those living with dementia. For example, those who attended information or education sessions and completed the survey reported “significantly less negative views about how they themselves would feel if they were diagnosed with dementia”, suggesting that the information they received had led to a reduction in the stigma and raised awareness around dementia Those living with dementia and their carers have reported that there has been an improvement in the positive attitudes of staff and increased support by local businesses when accessing their services. Overall the positive reported project outcomes have been the: •Empowerment and inclusion of people living with dementia •Improved community awareness, knowledge and positive attitudes •Increased community engagement and cooperation The age friendly domains successfully achieved throughout project include: • social participation • respect and social inclusion • civic participation and employment • communication and information

Feedback:
The project uses its structure of the Alliance and Advisory Group to share information & resources and for planning. Evaluation data collected via surveys at every activity of the project are used to inform on the efficacy of the activities and to update the activities accordingly. The project also uses an Action Research cycle to periodically reflect on & review project activities. In addition, the University of Wollongong conducted evaluative research on the outcomes achieved by the project in 2016 which was subsequently published (as further outlined below).

Expansion plans:
Yes with ongoing funding and support the Dementia Friendly Project is now in its 5th year. Some further initiatives since 2016 and into the future include: •Continue with a program of educational events to raise community awareness and reduce stigma about dementia, using the recently trialled “Pop-Up stands during Dementia awareness month in September 2017. •Continue to provide dementia education for local community organisations and businesses, initially conducted by Dementia Australia, this is now conducted by members of DAGs •Dementia Advisory Group working to increase social opportunities for people living with dementia and their supporters. •The development of the ‘Dementia Friends’ program that trains volunteers to support people living with dementia participating in community groups •The creation and promotion of a printed directory for those who may not access information online. •Take action to improve access to transport for people living with dementia •Work to improve the physical in Kiama and surrounds, including better signage

Reflections:
If additional funding had been available more work around publicising events could have encouraged further participation in reaching extended parts of the community. Deeper concerns and fears from individuals either living with dementia or undiagnosed conditions would benefit from collaboration with health professionals. Given the recent global changes of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Dementia-Friendly Kiama Project has adopted a more diverse direction in engaging with the community in the form of on-line communication via Zoom conferencing to maintain a continued connection with people living with dementia and their care partners. As a result, weekly social Zoom meetings are being conducted on-line. Also, the monthly Alliance meetings are being conducted via Zoom. Flyers are being distributed to encourage more community members to join our sessions. We are embracing new ways of virtual communication in assisting people who may not have the expertise in computer technology, by providing support and encouragement to engage. In addition we are also looking at adapting and developing our educational resources to be delivered online to continue the work already underway; which previously was delivered face-to-face. Previous “Pop-up” sessions at farmers markets and community areas have proved successful in engaging with the public, reinforcing the need/desire for more community education and awareness with the aim of de-stigmatising the word dementia. Feedback and evaluation from previously delivered education awareness sessions have been constructive and encouraging, reinforcing the fact more of the same type of sessions are required. People are starting to feel more comfortable to talk openly about the disease, its effects including personality changes and the future prognosis. With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting movement, social distancing and isolation have become even more of a concern for isolated elders living in our community with little or no family. Many are managing life at home alone with various health conditions, more work needs to be undertaken to ascertain how they could be reached and supported. One area identified is the utilisation of existing services in the community such as the Meals on Wheels, who have agreed to deliver flyers to their customers to encourage them to join weekly on-line social Zoom meetings. It is further recognised many have difficulties in the ability to operate computers and technical know-how, again the level of support to engage in such activities would need to be quantified. Dementia like COVID-19 is a global issue which does not discriminate; collectively we can fight the battle to win the war together.

Challenges:
Some of the challenges identified within the included: •The implementation of physical environmental change such as signage, pedestrian crossings, pathways and public toilets as well as structural changes to buildings to make them more dementia friendly were identified as a challenge due to cost and time restraints. Some of these issues have been addressed through ongoing works within council and further collaboration with council is required to be able to address these issues in the future. •Ongoing funding to keep a project worker employed to coordinate resources and carry out administrative tasks for the project