Summary
City of Melville has the second highest number of people living with dementia compared to other cities in Western Australia (WA). With 70% of people with dementia live independently rather than in residential care and 30% of that group live alone.
Working closely with Alzheimer’s Western Australia (AWA), local businesses, community groups and most importantly local residents who live with dementia, officers from the City facilitated a number of resources and activities to support people to live well with this condition, while challenging stigma and lack of awareness in the wider community.
View the City’s website for video interviews with residents who live with dementia and other partners which clearly demonstrate the valuable contribution these individuals and families make to our community and at the same time acknowledges their challenges.
The Memory Café is a successful social gathering where people living with dementia can safely and comfortably interact and share their experiences.
There is a program known as Art & Soul, classical music is performed by musicians as background to artwork being crated with the support of an art therapist and volunteers. Also specialised art gallery guided tours are popular and a community event – LoveFest 2018 was held earlier this year. It included a photographic exhibition and symposium where people living with dementia and their families could express themselves in a letter, photo, dance or presentation.
Website: https://www.melvillecity.com.au/our-community/age-friendly-melville/living-well-with-dementia
Key facts
Main target group: Older people in general
Other target group(s): local businesses; aged care providers; GPs; carers of people living with dementia
Sector(s): Education, Health, Information and communication, Social protection
Desired outcome for older people:
Build and maintain relationships
- Accessibility
- Ageing in place
- Dementia
- Elder abuse
- Inclusion
- Participation