As an organisation

People living with dementia rely on small businesses and organisations for a range of services. They deserve a positive customer experience.

 

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People living with dementia have the right to enjoy access to the same services and products as anyone else.

Every business can ensure that people living with dementia are welcome, included and valued. Some changes to practices and the environment can help make local businesses more inclusive for people living with dementia.

Changes may include:

  • increasing the dementia awareness and communication skills of staff
  • improving the accessibility of signage and lighting
  • enhancing the readability of forms and documents.

Becoming a dementia-friendly organisation can have a meaningful impact on your customers. It can also increase the skills and satisfaction of your employees. Your staff will learn more about dementia and how to best support and communicate with a person living with dementia. Their customer service skills, responsiveness and sensitivity to customer needs will grow.

They will also feel empowered to improve the lives of others. They will understand how small actions can help people continue to take part in their local community.

Find out more by downloading our brochure.
 

Become a dementia-friendly organisation

The Dementia-Friendly Communities program can help you make simple changes to support people living with dementia. Get the tools, resources and support you need to make a difference.

Step 1.

Contact the Dementia-Friendly team at dementiafriendly@dementia.org.au before you get started to discuss your plans. We will connect you with your local Dementia-Friendly Communities state Program Officer for support. 

Step 2.

Sign in to your Dementia Friends account. If you do not have an account, you can sign up here to register. Once you have signed into your Dementia Friends account, you can download a copy of the blank action plan template

Step 3.

Engage in community consultations with people living with dementia and your local dementia alliance, to develop your action plan. Visit the online community directory to find an alliance in your area.

Your plan will document the practical changes you’re making to better meet the needs of people living with dementia in your local area. It will also show where you have sought input from people with a lived experience of dementia.  

Step 4. 

We will review your action plan. Once approved, your organisation will be recognised as ‘working towards becoming dementia-friendly'. 

Promoting your commitment to change

As a recognised dementia-friendly organisation, you will be included in our online community directory. This helps people living with dementia, their families and carers choose services that are welcoming and supportive. You will receive a formal certificate of recognition and window stickers featuring a ‘Dementia-Friendly’ logo.

Your organisation may also be featured in stories on our website, so we can share your success to inspire others in the community.

Can an aged care provider or disability service provider become a dementia-friendly organisation?

We recognise the important role that disability, aged and community care providers play in supporting people living with dementia, their families and carers.

These providers have a core responsibility to support and care for people living with dementia. For this reason, the Dementia-Friendly Communities program does not offer ‘working towards becoming dementia-friendly’ recognition for disability, aged or community care providers.

Instead, we encourage disability, aged and community care providers to consider:

  • supporting their local dementia alliance. Your expertise can help create inclusive communities for people living with dementia.
  • approaching the Centre for Dementia Learning at Dementia Australia to discuss your training needs. We offer a suite of education and consultancy programs designed to meet the needs of a wide range of providers and their workforce.