Making Christchurch Dementia-Friendly: Perspectives of People with Dementia

1. Making Christchurch Dementia-Friendly: Perspectives of People with Dementia Karen Smith – RN, MSc Dementia Studies

2. Whinging POM!

3. The Challenge – stop me from whinging!

4. What is dementia? • An umbrella term used to describe conditions in the brain that affect our ability to: • THINK • REASON • REMEMBER • Can affect anyone at any age – incidence higher in older population • Most common – Alzheimer’s disease

5. What is a ‘dementia-friendly community?’ “A dementia friendly community can be defined as being one in which it is possible for the greatest number of people to live a good life with dementia.” (Milton, 2012)

7. Netherlands – Hogewey Dementia Village

8. Our Study: • Qualitative study aimed at seeking the perspectives of people with dementia • 27 participants from within Christchurch city • They told us what they felt would make for a dementia-friendly Christchurch

9. Education and Awareness • Providers of local businesses and community services showed good understanding • Need for more education and greater awareness from health providers

10. Community Services • Cafes and restaurants – good awareness • Malls – some experiences not so good • Taxi Phones at Pak ‘n’ Save – Great!

11. Health and Social Care Services • NGO’s doing well • Care Homes fail to meet needs and allow for preferences – need for engagement, purpose and role identity, part of community • Emergency services showed good understanding • In-patient units, GP practices – faired poorly

12. Networks • Impact of 2011 earthquake on eastern suburbs – no longer know neighbours • Wigram support group and befriending service • Internet – social networks • Ability for PWD to provide support to others

13. Buildings and Design • Shopping malls – overwhelming, floors “look like glass”, noisy, smell of fast-food disliked, public toilets hard to find • Stopped people from going out alone • Want a modern city

14. Transport • Taxi services – very good (half-price vouchers for PWD highly valued) • Bus services – mixed opinions: some drivers helpful – others gave little time, would not lower bus for people with walking aids • City centre bus stop locations made navigation difficult • Lack of enclosed bus shelters • Road signage – poor post earthquake (colour changes inconsistent and unhelpful)

15. Access to Information • Internet increasingly popular with older people • Social networking sites very useful, e.g. Facebook and Grown-Ups • Families want to be kept informed when PWD in hospital wards • Information given upon request – not enforced

16. Leisure • Many participants ceased participation: due to embarrassment, too slow, nobody to support them • Some wanted to try something new • Most wanted an opportunity to resume hobbies, e.g. golf, fishing, dancing

17. Outdoor Environments • Need to access the outdoors • Want to be part of the community • “Biggest fear is never having a chance to get outside again” • Be in touch with nature • Visit Botanic Gardens • Need for quiet spaces

18. Safety • Safe neighbourhood • Don’t want to be “tricked” • Police presence • Safe pedestrian crossing points • Cul-de-sacs • Safe, uncomplicated footpaths and floor surfaces

19. Benefits of a Dementia-Friendly Model • Includes everyone: people with dementia, physical and sensory disabilities, mental health problems, people with young children, international visitors • Opportunities for budding designers, architects, technological advances – keep Kiwis in NZ and in Christchurch • Consider future Human Rights Legislation • Recognise people who made Christchurch a great city in the first place

20. Luton is going to be the first dementia-friendly city in the world Yeah Right!

21. Contact details: Karen Smith – Clinical Research Nurse The Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland k.smith@auckland.ac.nz Tel: 64+ 09 923 7884