How We Help Build Dementia-Friendly Communities
Dementia-Friendly Communities are already being built here in Nova Scotia. The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is involved in ongoing efforts to support and promote these communities.
Community Champions:
A community champion is a community-minded individual who wants to use their voice, time, energy, and skills to engage and empower their community to become Dementia Friendly.
In partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, Community Champions promote public education on dementia and dementia friendliness, promote ASNS programs and services, and serve as community touch points.
Memory Kits:
The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia has partnered with Halifax Public Libraries and provincial libraries to develop and circulate Memory Kits.
These kits are filled with engaging and adaptable activities for people living with dementia and their care partners – with the aim of evoking memories, sparking conversations, and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement.
Currently Memory Kits are available to borrow from branches of the Halifax Public Libraries, the Cape Breton Regional Libraries, and the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Libraries.
You are also able to build your own memory kits, following this Halifax Public Libraries guide.
Learn more about memory kits in this webinar.
Patience Cards:
Sometimes people living with dementia just need a little more time to complete a task or a thought. That’s where the “Thank you for your patience” cards come in handy.
First Responders:
In 2024 the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia began connecting with First Responders across Nova Scotia to help educate them on dementia and equip them with skills and knowledge on how to communicate effectively when interacting with people living with dementia
Click here to view the “First Responder Handbook”.
Contact our Education team to arrange a Dementia Friendly First Responders presentation.
Dementia Friendly Community Awards:
In 2024 the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia hosted our inaugural Dementia Friendly Communities Awards ceremony. Giving out awards in four categories:
- Dementia Friendly Voice: Recognized a person living with dementia who has been an integral part of a project aimed at improving the lives of people affected by dementia or has used their voice to raise awareness or to advocate.
Recipients: Sandra Britten, Faye Forbes, and Marilyn Taylor. The voices of people with lived experience are invaluable to building dementia friendly communities. Sandra Britten, Faye Forbes, and Marilyn Taylor have all been invaluable advocates for people living with dementia at both the local and national levels. These three courageous, passionate, and brave women are inspirations to people living with dementia, their care partners, and those working to create dementia friendly communities.
- Dementia Friendly Ally: Recognized a person who has been an integral part of a project aimed at improving the lives of people affected by dementia or has used their voice to raise awareness or to advocate.
Recipient: Veronica Marsman. Veronica has been pivotal in connecting the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia with Black communities in Nova Scotia since 2018, enabling us to reach African Nova Scotians provincewide and to provide culturally relevant education and support. Veronica's efforts have increased awareness of dementia and ASNS services, fostering Dementia Friendly Communities and paving the way for greater inclusivity and support.
- Dementia Friendly Group: Recognized a group of two or more people who have improved the lives of people affected by dementia in their community.
Recipients: Nick Zamora and Luke Moffatt of the Wolfville Recreation Department. Over the past five years they have organized social opportunities like memory cafes, providing hands-on support and have advocated for inclusion. Their efforts have catalyzed inclusive recreation programming locally and province-wide, earning them heartfelt appreciation.
- Dementia Friendly Organization: Recognized a not-for-profit organization or for-profit business that has implemented a dementia friendly initiative that supports their clients and/or employees affected by dementia.
Recipient: Northwood Adult Day Program. Specializing in dementia care, Northwoods Adult Day Program offers clients a dementia friendly space to socialize and engage, while offering respite and guidance to care partners navigating the dementia journey. Beyond that, Northwood supports program development throughout Nova Scotia, working for a better future for our aging population.