ST Agnes' Parish Port Macquarie dementia-friendly action plan has been given the green light by the Dementia-Friendly Action Alliance.
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The action plan includes a commitment to: foster a partnership with Alzheimer's Australia NSW to participate in the Dementia Mates program which matches volunteers with people who are living with dementia to help them remain socially connected; provide a DVD educational resource with information about dementia to managers and staff across the Parish's various entities; use the dementia-friendly audit tool to review the physical environment of each facility starting with St Agnes' Hostel.
St Agnes' Parish chief executive Adam Spencer said with diverse operations which include Catholic Care of the Aged facilities and retirement living, St Joseph's Family Services, Centacare, Parish education and pastoral offices, the Parish was well placed to lead dementia-friendly initiatives.
"As providers of aged care services, we are acutely aware of the growing needs of those living with dementia both in our communities and in our facilities," Mr Spencer said.
"We welcome the opportunity to do what we can across our organisation to ensure the Parish is a safe, friendly and an inclusive environment for people living with dementia and their carers."
The Parish employs about 1000 staff and has 300 volunteers, making it the largest organisation in Port Macquarie-Hastings to have its plan approved.
The chairwoman of the Port Macquarie Dementia Friendly Steering Committee, Julie Priest, said: "St Agnes' Parish has a strong and important connection to the Port Macquarie-Hastings community".
"It is fantastic to see such a respected and ingrained organisation leading by example and supporting the dementia-friendly initiatives in Port Macquarie-Hastings," Ms Priest said.
Alzheimer's Australia NSW regional manager North Coast Gary Thomas said he looks forward to the Parish's dementia-friendly actions taking shape across the community.
"This is an important partnership and commitment that will see changes made in Port Macquarie-Hastings that will be of lasting benefit, not only to people living with dementia and their carers, but for the whole community in fostering greater awareness, understanding and respect," Mr Thomas said.
