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Guiding Principles within the Dementia Context
- Collectively reflect and discuss how these five guiding principles are incorporated into the day-to-day care, programs, and services for persons with dementia and their families.
- These discussions can be ongoing. For example, have a standing team meeting agenda item be a discussion about the ways members are ‘living the guiding principles’.
- Post the main points of these discussions and provide opportunities for periodic reflection on how these principles are demonstrated.
Guiding Principle: Respect and Support of all Citizens
Persons with dementia are vital members of the community, have the right to make lifestyle choices, and are deserving of respect and dignity.
What are some examples of how persons with dementia and family members will be respected and supported within our organization/community?
What specific considerations need to be made in order to achieve this?
Guiding Principle: Access and Inclusion for All
An age friendly community enables and supports the inclusion of persons with dementia and ensured fair access to resources, supports and spaces. Services and resources for persons with dementia must be flexible and respond to their changing needs.
How are we ensuring that persons with dementia and their family members have access to, and are included in, the programs and services that are offered by our organization or community?
What are some examples that demonstrate ‘access and inclusion for all’ within our organization or community?
Guiding Principle: Community Engagement in Decision making
An age friendly community values the participation of persons with dementia in all aspects of decision making and program development. These relationships between individuals and organizations must be based on mutual respect, and value all perspectives and experiences. This approach strengthens communities and ensures that programs meet the needs of persons with dementia and their families.
How do we ensure that persons with dementia and family members have meaningful opportunities to be involved in decisions that directly affect them?
How are persons with dementia and their family involved in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the programs, services, and supports that directly affect them?
How can the partnership between our organization/community and persons with dementia and their families be enhanced?
Guiding Principle: Liveability
Health and service providers promote the values of ‘liveable communities’ which encourage meaningful engagement and social inclusion. The health and well-being of persons with dementia are considered within these areas:
- the built environment
- public spaces
- community identify
- transportation, housing, and other social program options
How does our physical environment reflect the principles of liveability?
What steps could we take to further enhance the liveability of our environment in a way that will directly support persons with dementia and their family members?
Guiding Principle: Accountability
Programs and services for persons with dementia are delivered in a manner that respects the five principles. Service providers are held accountable for listening and responding to the needs and interests of persons with dementia and their families.
What are some examples of how we demonstrate accountability to uphold the guiding principles and overall philosophy of an age friendly community? How could we improve this?
How do we demonstrate that we are accountable to the people within our organization, particularly persons with dementia?
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