Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is hosting the second in its series of dementia-friendly community programs.
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The Unforgettable Book Chat is at the Port Macquarie Library on Tuesday September 11. It starts at 6pm.
A free event, the night includes free canapes, drinks and a robust discussion with a panel of book enthusiasts and health professionals about Dementia in fiction.
Some of the topics listed for discussion include, does the advent of themed books hinder or help? Do they merely entertain? Or can fiction help to enlighten and create empathy?
Panellists at the book chat include, Catholic Care of the Aged's Alison Sherratt, Dementia Australia's Kaylene Parker and Sarah Ashton a member of the Port Macquarie Dementia Friendly Community Steering Committee.
Helping on the panel are library manager Jim Maguire and Jaci Fisher and Letitia Fitzpatrick from local book clubs.
A council spokesperson said a dementia-friendly community is a place where people living with dementia are supported to live with meaning, purpose and value.
"Dementia-friendly communities encourage organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals to make practical changes that will have a positive impact on the lives of people living with dementia and their carers," the spokesperson said.
The essence of a dementia-friendly community is to support people with dementia.
- Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
"The essence of a dementia-friendly community is to support people with dementia to be involved in activities and opportunities for social engagement that provide meaning and purpose in their lives for as long as possible.
"Social and community groups play a key role in facilitating this."
A $15,000 grant from Dementia Australia is being used to support the creation of the activities under the banner of Four Seasons in One Dementia Day.
The Cowper and Lyne electorates are both in the top 10 in Australia for the prevalence of dementia while the state seat of Port Macquarie has an estimated 1857 people with dementia. This is the third highest prevalence in NSW.
The Unforgettable Book Chat is at Port Macquarie Library on Tuesday September 11, 6pm.
To book RSVP the library team on 6581 8755 or email portlib@mnclibrary.org.au
More information about the program go to www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Community-Culture/Accessibility-Disability/A-Dementia-Friendly-Community
September is Dementia Awareness month. For more information go to the website.