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Karen Smith – RN, MSc Dementia Studies
Making Christchurch Dementia-Friendly:
Perspectives of People with Dementia
Whinging POM!
The Challenge – stop me from whinging!
What is dementia?
• An umbrella term used to describe conditions in the brain that affect our ability to:
• THINK• REASON• REMEMBER• Can affect anyone at any age – incidence
higher in older population• Most common – Alzheimer’s disease
What is a ‘dementia-friendly community?’
“A dementia friendly community can be defined as being one in which it is possible for the greatest number of people to live a good life with dementia.”
(Milton, 2012)
Netherlands – Hogewey Dementia Village
Our Study:
• Qualitative study aimed at seeking the perspectives of people with dementia
• 27 participants from within Christchurch city• They told us what they felt would make for a
dementia-friendly Christchurch
Education and Awareness
• Providers of local businesses and community services showed good understanding
• Need for more education and greater awareness from health providers
Community Services
• Cafes and restaurants – good awareness
• Malls – some experiences not so good
• Taxi Phones at Pak ‘n’ Save – Great!
Health and Social Care Services
• NGO’s doing well• Care Homes fail to meet
needs and allow for preferences – need for engagement, purpose and role identity, part of community
• Emergency services showed good understanding
• In-patient units, GP practices – faired poorly
Networks
• Impact of 2011 earthquake on eastern suburbs – no longer know neighbours
• Wigram support group and befriending service
• Internet – social networks• Ability for PWD to provide
support to others
Buildings and Design
• Shopping malls – overwhelming, floors “look like glass”, noisy, smell of fast-food disliked, public toilets hard to find
• Stopped people from going out alone
• Want a modern city
Transport• Taxi services – very good (half-
price vouchers for PWD highly valued)
• Bus services – mixed opinions: some drivers helpful – others gave little time, would not lower bus for people with walking aids
• City centre bus stop locations made navigation difficult
• Lack of enclosed bus shelters• Road signage – poor post
earthquake (colour changes inconsistent and unhelpful)
Access to Information
• Internet increasingly popular with older people
• Social networking sites very useful, e.g. Facebook and Grown-Ups
• Families want to be kept informed when PWD in hospital wards
• Information given upon request – not enforced
Leisure
• Many participants ceased participation: due to embarrassment, too slow, nobody to support them
• Some wanted to try something new
• Most wanted an opportunity to resume hobbies, e.g. golf, fishing, dancing
Outdoor Environments
• Need to access the outdoors
• Want to be part of the community
• “Biggest fear is never having a chance to get outside again”
• Be in touch with nature• Visit Botanic Gardens• Need for quiet spaces
Safety
• Safe neighbourhood• Don’t want to be
“tricked”• Police presence• Safe pedestrian crossing
points• Cul-de-sacs• Safe, uncomplicated
footpaths and floor surfaces
Benefits of a Dementia-Friendly Model
• Includes everyone: people with dementia, physical and sensory disabilities, mental health problems, people with young children, international visitors
• Opportunities for budding designers, architects, technological advances – keep Kiwis in NZ and in Christchurch
• Consider future Human Rights Legislation• Recognise people who made Christchurch a great city
in the first place
Luton is going to be the first dementia-friendly city in the world
Yeah Right!
Contact details:
Karen Smith – Clinical Research NurseThe Centre for Brain Research, University of
[email protected]: 64+ 09 923 7884