Following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent public consultation in developing a ‘dementia-friendly initiatives (DFI)’ toolkit, the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) and The Irish LongituDinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) hosted a shared discussion (Chaired by Prof Dominic Trépel, TCD) between Dr Helen Rochford-Brennan (Chairperson of the European Working Group of People with Dementia) and Dr Maggie Haertsch (Consultant, World Health Organization) on 27 November 2018.
In this lively discussion, the panel explored issues of inclusivity and the exciting potential for well-designed initiatives that can change societies where people with dementia have a full life with meaning and purpose. The audience raised discussion with the panel on many issues such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the implications of different terms such as ‘dementia-friendly’ versus ‘dementia-inclusive’ societies, and the need for more people with dementia to be involved in the implementation (and evaluation) of such initiatives.
The key actions emanating from these discussions were to ensure the voice of the person with dementia is actively included within this fast evolving research and policy agenda.
More about the GBHI: https://www.gbhi.org/