Dementia Friendly Communities NB
Dementia friendly communities help ensure people living with dementia and their care partners are welcomed, included, supported, and cherished. These communities are built by making meaningful changes in everyday environments where people live, shop, access services, and enjoy leisure activities.
What are Dementia Friendly Communities?
Dementia friendly communities are designed to create a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals living with dementia and their care partners. These communities foster inclusivity through practical changes in public spaces, service areas, and social settings to promote dignity and engagement for all.
When community members understand dementia and are aware of its challenges, it can reduce anxiety, stigma, and frustration for those affected. With the right support, people with dementia can continue to live at home, maintain a high quality of life, and stay connected to their communities.
Why is Becoming Dementia Friendly Important?
There are approximately 12,000 people living with dementia in New Brunswick, and that number is expected to nearly double by 2050. As the impact of dementia grows, the need for communities to adapt and provide meaningful support becomes even more pressing.
When communities become dementia friendly, it ensures people can age in place and remain active, engaged members of their communities. By becoming dementia friendly, we can start making the changes needed to ensure all citizens can thrive, regardless of their cognitive abilities.
What Does a Dementia Friendly Environment Look Like?
Dementia friendly principles – both social and physical – help make spaces more inclusive, supportive and accessible for everybody. Small, thoughtful adjustments—like signage placement and clear paths—can have a big impact without high costs.
How We Help Build Dementia Friendly Communities
Education and awareness form the foundation of any dementia friendly community. Providing knowledge and raising awareness among service providers, community members, and organizations is key to creating environments that are accessible and supportive for those living with dementia.
Our services include:
- Single presentations
- Series of presentations
- Ongoing support touchpoints as you implement dementia-friendly changes
Work with us
Is your organization interested in building a dementia friendly community? We are eager to collaborate! Our services are currently available to libraries, non-profits, recreation centres, seniors' centres, and municipalities. If your group doesn’t fall into one of these categories, we still encourage you to reach out to explore how we can help.
More Resources
Want to learn more? You can find helpful tip sheets with more suggestions or give us a call at 1-800-664-8411.
The Dementia-Friendly Canada project provides educational opportunities for the general public and professionals working in the community to mobilize them to champion dementia-friendly principles wherever they go.
Dementia-Inclusive Resource Centre
Take a virtual tour of our Dementia-Inclusive Resource Centre! Learn about the changes we’ve made to our provincial office to make it more inclusive for people living with dementia.
Building Dementia-Friendly Communities online course
The course will provide a foundational knowledge of dementia, and outline the considerations that organizations can include in their social and physical environments in order to better support and include people living with dementia.
Learn how dementia affects the brain and the people living with the condition.
Learn about dementia stigma and how it affects people living with the condition.
