Five actions to create a dementia-friendly future

Around two-thirds of people living with dementia live in the community. Learning more about dementia can help you support them. 

A lack of knowledge and understanding of dementia may lead to people living with dementia experiencing stigma and discrimination in the community.  

People living with dementia are often told they ‘don’t look like they have dementia’ because they don’t present, speak or act in a way the community expects. What people can’t see they don’t understand and what they don’t understand they tend to avoid.  

There are simple actions you can take to understand the experience of someone living with dementia: 

• Follow us on social media for regular tips and information about dementia. 
• Become a Dementia Friend at Dementia Friendly Communities. Sign-up online to access a series of short videos, information and personal stories from people impacted by dementia. 
• Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive regular updates from Dementia Australia. 
• Sign-up to our National Dementia Library Service for free access to a world-leading collection of dementia-related resources. 

Create opportunities for people living with dementia to contribute so they stay connected and engaged in their communities. 

Communities play a critical role in encouraging inclusivity, respecting the rights of people with dementia and facilitating access to the services, supports, activities and spaces to which every Australian is entitled. 

Try to create opportunities for people living with dementia to contribute. This helps individuals stay connected and engaged in the community. 

People living with dementia can still participate in many activities, have hobbies and engage with community groups. Take the time to find out what someone might like to get involved in and how, and if they might need a little extra support in order to participate. 

Sometimes the simple act of asking can make someone feel included, encouraged and empowered.

Listen to people living with dementia with respect and an open mind. Body language can show that you are engaged and present. 

How people living with dementia will communicate may change over time and even from day to day. The more you can listen with respect and an open mind, the better you can adapt to changing needs. 

There are simple actions you can take to make someone living with dementia feel heard and included. 

• Invite someone with dementia to share their ideas. Notice when someone needs more time or space to be an active contributor to the conversation.  
• Take time to find things you may have in common and ask questions which could lead to an inclusive conversation, such as ‘what made you want to move to this town?’. 
• Be in the moment and listen with the heart.  
• You may need to use hand gestures and facial expressions to make yourself understood. Body language can show that you are engaged and present. 

For more communication tips, check out our Let’s Talk brochure, developed by people living with dementia. 

If the person living with dementia is in the later stages of dementia or has difficulty communicating, there can still be moments of joy. 

Look out for moments when the person can engage with you or can react to things around them such as a favourite smell or music, and explore the world through a different perspective.  

There are also activities that can spark joy such as listening to music or looking at photos. 

People living with dementia often have different sensory perceptions and their immediate environment can have a large impact on their wellbeing. 

The built environment can have a significant impact on people living with dementia, but their needs are rarely considered in urban or environmental planning, design and construction. 

• Use unambiguous seating design (for example, chairs should look like chairs)  
• Use high-contrast design features (for example, consider different coloured toilet seats, distinctive buttons for flushing and, in public restrooms, signage on the inside of the exit door to differentiate it from a toilet cubicle door)  
• Avoid sudden changes in light level since shadows can be confusing  
• Use clear signage that allows for line-of-sight orientation, and which uses words and pictures 
• For businesses and community organisations, consider inclusion of ‘quiet spaces’ in refurbishments and new buildings  

Additionally, the considered use of music and lighting can make a profound difference to how people react in some spaces. 

Taking actions to make it easier for people living with dementia may also benefit people with sensory or physical challenges. 

After all, a dementia-friendly environment is one that is better for everyone in the community. 

You can find out more about dementia-friendly design on our website. 

Find ways to connect and introduce yourself to people in your community. Simple gestures like saying ‘hello’ and showing kindness can make a big difference. 

Look for ways to connect and introduce yourself to people in your community who may be impacted by dementia.  

It can also be helpful to introduce yourself each time you meet with a simple greeting using both your name and theirs, such as ‘Hi Joan, it’s Chris from the hair salon, how are you?’ 

If someone has stepped away from your services or community group, see if you can check in and see how they’re going.

There may be some simple actions you can take to support them to return.