First Dementia Cafe a Success

Over 30 people attended and they were able to socialise with other carers and people living with cognitive conditions such as dementia.

There were also community members who were interested in learning about the project and how they could be involved.

‘‘The event went really well,’’ Elizabeth said.

All who participated showed a lot of interest in the monitoring systems that can be placed in any home to help carers keep the people they are looking after safe.

There were dementia training programs announced, some of which will be facilitated by Finley TAFE.

These are free to attend, and these programs will help educate and reassure people in the community.

A dementia friendly community is the aim of the new project being delivered by Finley Dementia Alliance, Finley Regional Care and Dementia Australia.

The project will be directed by the carers and people living with dementia; they will advise when and where they would like each months community café; they will also report back ideas to make their caring role easier.

Elizabeth was excited at the success of the first event and knows that the road to fully integrating the community to become dementia friendly may be long, but is prepared to help as much as possible along the way.

‘‘We're planning to have a Community Café each month with the one in October scheduled for Thursday, October 31 at Finley Regional Care in the Activities Room and will be run by the RED HAT ladies,’’ she said.

‘‘The project will help to keep everyone socially connected in the community and for those affected to play a big part in the events.

‘‘The Alliance is pleased with the connections made with Finley RS Club who kindly supported this event by providing funding via the ClubGrants program towards the catering for the first Café, and Finley TAFE who has come on board with supervising training and sharing IT equipment.

‘‘It is heart-warming to see the community come together to help look after its own.’’