Eateries urged to go dementia-friendly

A Brunswick Heads cafe owner is doing his bit to create a dementia-friendly environment for the community, while spreading Christmas cheer.

Edgar Bogic and his staff at the Dolphin Cafe generously put on a free Christmas brunch for Byron Shire Respite Service clients on Wednesday in a bid to make the popular cafe even more welcoming for the whole community.

Respite-service care manager Barbara Chambers said support by local businesses for the service and its work in the community was much appreciated.

‘Businesses could be looking at appropriate signage, lighting and colours to make it easier for people with dementia to remain engaged in their community,’ Mrs Chambers told Echonetdaily.

‘We hope that increased community awareness about dementia will support people to continue with the activities they enjoy and reduce isolation that a lot of people with dementia and their carers experience.

‘All people need to have value and purpose in their lives.

‘Social stigma can have a devastating impact on the lives of people with dementia and their carers.

‘Dementia not only brings cognitive changes, but also changes how family and friends respond to that person,’ she said.