Dementia Friendly Community

The Northern Beaches Dementia Alliance and Council are working towards making our area a Dementia Friendly Community.

Dementia Friendly Communities are places where people living with dementia feel safe and supported to live well. In these communities, people living with dementia feel understood and valued.  This is important as two out of three people with dementia live in their community – not aged care.

Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia and the leading cause of death for women in Australia.

It is estimated there are more than 400,000 Australians living with dementia. Without a medical breakthrough, this number is expected to more than double by 2058.

With a greater proportion of older residents than the Sydney, NSW and national average, the Northern Beaches will be particularly impacted by dementia.

Prevalence of dementia in the Northern Beaches is estimated as 5,602 (2021) with this number set to grow to 13,378 by 2058 (Dementia Australia; 2018).

Sadly Dementia affects children too. Childhood dementia results from progressive brain damage and is caused by over 70 rare genetic disorders. Children also suffer from symptoms like confusion, loss of memory, loss of speech and more. Learn more about childhood dementia.

Northern Beaches Dementia Alliance

The Northern Beaches Dementia Alliance implements a community action plan with dementia-friendly actions including dementia awareness raising events such as morning teas and expos, a monthly newsletter, a website with useful resources, and actions to encourage local businesses to become dementia friendly organisations.

How can you get involved?

• Join the Project Working Party
• Join the Northern Beaches Dementia Advisory Group
• Join the mailing list

For more information, contact the Northern Beaches Dementia Alliance on dementiaalliancenb@gmail.com

Northern Beaches Council - Dementia Friendly Organisation

In May 2021, Council signed a Statement of Commitment to commit the organisation to a Dementia Friendly Organisation Action Plan. The Plan provides a roadmap to prioritise actions to ensure all areas of Council are more dementia friendly.

With this commitment, Council has been recognised by Dementia Australia as "working towards becoming a dementia friendly organisation".

Actions are ongoing and include:

• Dementia awareness training of frontline staff.
• Dementia-friendly audits of Council facilities – with audit recommendations being implemented.
• Staff representation on the Northern Beaches Dementia Alliance including support for Alliance projects such as dementia-friendly community events and activities.

For more information visit Dementia Australia.

Services and supports

Supports and services for those living with dementia and their carers can also be found in the Northern Beaches Seniors Directory and on the Northern Beaches Dementia Alliance website.