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

Aucklandk.smith@auckland.ac.nzTel: 64+ 09 923 7884