Dementia Australia awards $95,000 in funding to help 12 communities become more dementia-friendly

A dozen communities from across Australia will benefit from Dementia Australia grants to support efforts to become more dementia-friendly.

Each community will focus on different activities that suit the issues and opportunities in their area, working closely with local people living with dementia.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said dementia-friendly communities play a critical role in encouraging inclusivity, respecting the rights of people with dementia and facilitating access to the services, supports, activities and spaces to which every Australian is entitled.

“An estimated 400,000 Australians live with dementia and of these, it is estimated two thirds of people live within the community,” Ms McCabe said.

“Limited knowledge and understanding about dementia can have widespread repercussions. Most significantly, it may result in people with dementia, their families and carers experiencing stigma and discrimination in a wide range of settings from community and retail spaces to the health care sector.

“These grants are designed to support community-based organisations to actively engage and include people living with dementia as they design and deliver local solutions to make their region dementia-friendly.”

The grants will also support community groups to collaborate with dementia alliances, councils, businesses, and education and community organisations over a 12-month period.

A full list of the community groups awarded a grant of up to $10,000 each can be found below.

Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.5 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.

/Public Release. View in full here.