COUNCIL is inviting the community to consult with them to develop a plan for a more dementia-friendly, accessible and safe Hawkesbury.
Two face-to-face sessions will occur on Friday, July 19: 10am until midday to consult with people living with dementia and their carers; and 2pm until 4pm to consult with businesses, organisations and services.
Both sessions will take place at Hawkesbury Leisure and Learning Centre, 114 March Street, Richmond.
Council said the consultations will be of interest to anyone living with dementia, family and friends of people living with dementia, people concerned with memory loss and service providers.
They said the aim was to increase the awareness of dementia and discuss ways to improve access to support, as well as to facilitate better access to information and services in the Hawkesbury.
The sessions are an initiative of Council's Dementia Friendly Hawkesbury Working Group.
For more information, and to assist with catering (as morning and afternoon tea is provided), RSVP to Jessica Innes, acting community programs coordinator on jinnes@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au or 4560 4489.
Dementia working group
Council's Dementia Friendly Hawkesbury Working Group consists of members who are carers, people with early stage dementia, doctors as well as representatives from local dementia services, regional aged care facilities and the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network.
Other initiatives of the working group have included facilitating Dementia Australia's seminar on 'Dementia Friendly Communities' at Richmond Golf Club in June, as well as arranging surveys for people living with dementia and their carers, businesses, organisations and services.
The group meets fortnightly to discuss the development of a Dementia Friendly Plan and aims to have a draft plan presented to Council during Dementia Awareness Month in September.
Art and dementia tours
Council runs art and dementia tours at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, providing intellectual stimulation and encourage self-expression, with an opportunity for participants to share their opinions about the artworks on display.
Offered to individuals and their carers, as well as groups, tours are aimed at people living with younger-onset dementia.
For more information, bookings, and to discuss your individual requirements, call the Gallery on 4560 4441.
