A Message from the Government of Alberta
On behalf of the Government of Alberta, I am pleased to extend my congratulations to The Brenda Strafford Foundation for the development of a Dementia Friendly Communities toolkit.
Through this resource, the foundation has shared what it has learned since the launch of the Dementia Friendly Communities Initiative in 2016. The toolkit will assist communities in meeting the needs of Albertans living with dementia. The information and best practices outlined in the pages to follow will support more dementia-friendly community initiatives throughout Alberta.
My ministry was pleased to provide financial support towards the foundation’s implementation and evaluation of its Dementia Friendly Communities Initiative, including the development of this toolkit. The project helped communities recognize the needs of those impacted by dementia, engaged and educated the public, and assisted businesses and other organizations to support people living with dementia. It is so important and valuable to provide training to help individuals recognize the possible signs of dementia. We need to continue to build community capacity to address dementia, and to reduce the stigma associated with this chronic condition.
Dementia Friendly Communities helps seniors to remain active in their communities. This supports our government’s commitment to ensure seniors are able to stay in their homes and remain in the community for as long as possible.
Again my thanks to The Brenda Strafford Foundation for its work in developing the Dementia Friendly Communities toolkit. It will have a long-lasting impact on those living with dementia, their caregivers, and the broader community.
