The Alliance, a joint initiative between Barunga West Council and Barunga Village in Port Broughton, aims to create a supportive environment for individuals living with dementia in the towns of Port Broughton, Fisherman Bay, Mundoora, Bute, Kulpara, Alford, and Tickera.
The theme for this year’s Dementia Action Week is: Act Now for a Dementia-Friendly Future.
The focus of the week is to reduce stigma and discrimination experienced by people (and their carers) living with dementia.
The Barunga West Dementia Friendly Community Alliance will host the following events:
Exhibition at Gallery 1871: Collaboratively organised with Barunga Village Retirement Village, this exhibition will display items made by those living with dementia. Visitors can access the exhibition with a gold coin donation.
Sausage Sizzle outside IGA Port Broughton: To be held on Friday, 22 September, the event includes a sausage sizzle and information about dementia. A gold coin donation is suggested.
These donations will be directed towards the Alliance to assist those in the community living with dementia and support future events.
On 20 September, Dr Ashleigh Smith and her team will be in the area to advance their innovative rural dementia prevention project, Re-ACTIVate. Unlike traditional city-based solutions, this project focuses specifically on the needs and challenges faced by rural communities, where dementia prevalence is known to be higher.
The Re-ACTIVate project is characterised by three ambitious aims:
Understanding Rural Dementia Risks: By embedding themselves within the communities and recruiting around 200 participants across three SA towns, the team will conduct cognitive tests and measure modifiable risk factors such as physical activity levels and cardiometabolic health. This will help in understanding how dementia risk factors cluster in rural compared to metropolitan populations.
Mapping Community Resources: Working closely with local councils and organisations, the team will identify existing services, social opportunities, transport systems, and outdoor green spaces within the towns. This comprehensive mapping will consider the wider context of regions like Mid North, Mount Gambier, and Eyre Peninsula.
Co-Creation of a Rural Toolkit: A series of workshops with local older adults, healthcare professionals, council members, and aged care providers will culminate in the creation of a dementia prevention toolkit, uniquely tailored to rural towns.
The Re-ACTIVate project emphasises the unique position of rural communities at the forefront of dementia prevention. Information sessions and activities related to the project will be hosted during Dementia Action Week at Gallery 1871 in Port Broughton. This initiative adds a significant dimension to the week's events, emphasising local solutions for local challenges in dementia care and prevention.
Supported by a grant from Dementia Australia, the Barunga West Dementia Friendly Community Alliance includes Councillor Kevin Beinke and Council’s WHS, Risk & Compliance Officer Jodi Russack. The Alliance also involves community members who are living with dementia themselves, those who are carers, and others who are committed to increasing awareness.
A goal of the Alliance is not only to make Barunga West Council a dementia-friendly organisation but also to influence towns in the region to foster a community where individuals with dementia feel safe, respected, and included. This includes training for local business staff, reducing stigma, and enhancing social friendliness.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe welcomed the initiative, stressing the importance of dementia-friendly communities in facilitating inclusivity and respect.
The Barunga West Dementia Friendly Community Alliance represents a significant step towards recognising and supporting the unique needs of people living with dementia in the region, and the Dementia Action Week events are a central part of that effort.
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