The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services today joined Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, federal Minister of Health, to announce an investment of $716,000 for the Partnering for Dementia Friendly Communities Project in Newfoundland and Labrador.

This funding supports the implementation of Canada’s national dementia strategy, and raises awareness about dementia, with a focus on reducing stigma and encouraging dementia-inclusive communities.

This project will create a more dementia-friendly province by building on the Dementia Care Action Plan. The key goals of this initiative led by government, with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NL Health Services) and the Alzheimer Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, include:

• Increasing awareness of dementia;
• Supporting stigma reduction; and
• Encouraging dementia inclusive communities.

Eight communities will work with community engagement coordinators and local partners to create action plans that will guide their efforts to become dementia friendly. These communities represent a diverse geography, including both rural and urban communities:

• Clarenville;
• Corner Brook;
• Mary’s Harbour;
• Placentia;
• Roddickton-Bide Arm;
• Springdale;
• Stephenville; and
• Twillingate.

A dementia-friendly community focuses on stigma reduction and the inclusion of people living with dementia in the places they work, live and play.

Quotes
“With over 10,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians living with dementia, the Dementia Friendly Communities Project is a significant resource to empower communities to create and implement their own action plans, tailored to meet their unique needs. This project supports efforts to reduce dementia-related stigma and support people living with dementia and their caregivers in our province, while focusing on building awareness and encouraging dementia-inclusive communities.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Many Canadians are, or will be, impacted by dementia through a personal diagnosis or that of a loved one. That’s why we are working to reduce the stigma surrounding dementia including by encouraging the creation of dementia-inclusive communities. With this program in Newfoundland and Labrador, we’re taking a significant step towards creating more inclusive and supportive communities for people living with dementia, their families, and caregivers.”
Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health, Government of Canada

“Dementia continues to have a significant impact on families across Canada. The Federal Government is here to fund innovative projects on the ground in our communities to bring both awareness and tools to Canadians across the country to improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and those close to them. I am incredibly proud that we are supporting this program tailored to the needs of our communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Ken McDonald
Member of Parliament for Avalon, Newfoundland and Labrador

“NL Health Services is pleased to partner with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Public Health Agency of Canada and community partners to make progress toward creating a more dementia-friendly province. Many individuals living with dementia live at home in their communities, supported by families and those who care for them.  By creating dementia-friendly communities, we are decreasing the isolation they may feel after diagnosis and breaking down stigma together so that individuals are understood, respected and supported in their communities.”
Debbie Walsh, Chief Operating Officer, Eastern-Rural Zone, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services

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Learn more
Dementia Care Action Plan

A Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Aspire

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