Thinking beyond urban design
Beyond neighbourhood planning and design, municipalities, developers, and community organizations can improve neighbourhoods for people living with dementia and their care partners through:
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Awareness and training: Train community members and municipal staff to understand how to help and interact with people living with dementia. For example, the City of Burnaby is training its staff to support people living with dementia who are submitting their property taxes.
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Programming: Organize programming and activities to bring community members and people living with dementia together to build social connections, increase mutual understanding, and reduce stigma. For example, the Burnaby Dementia Friendly Café operates in a city-owned space.
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Inclusive city-building processes: Build inclusive civic processes that invite people living with dementia and their care partners to participate in shaping their community. For example, the City of Richmond engaged people living with dementia to create its 10-year Seniors Strategy.