Be the first to comment!San Lawrenz residents learn about “dementia friendly village” project
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The new pilot project for Dementia Friendly Communities is being carried out in San Lawrenz, Gozo, as a `Dementia Friendly Village.' Saturday saw the the first public meeting for the residents of this locality.
Speaking during the meeting, Parliamentary Secretary for the Right of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing Justyne Caruana, said that the residents of the village "should be proud that their village will be the first location declared as – dementia friendly.'"
She described it is an ideal village to start this concept because of its small size, and due to the fact of the ageing population, it would act as a role model for other localities
Dr Caruana said that the initiatives undertaken in the last two years to raise awareness and knowledge among the public about this condition has helped those with dementia to have a prolonged life and stay active within the community.
"Besides the 24-hour helpline 1771, more bed spaces are now available suitable for the elderly with this condition, including a respite centre in Gozo," said Dr Caruana.
Through this project, the Parliamentary Secretary said that it will not only benefit elderly persons with dementia, but also their families and society as a whole, because the project will include extensive maintenance in the locality of San Lawrenz.
Works will include dedicated information signs and orientation, the playing field will be made more accessible to children, and to people with disability or mobility problems.
The Parliamentary Secretary thanked Mayor Noel Formosa and the Local Council for their full cooperation, "as well as the experts who helped guide us in the best ways to accomplish this project."
"Many countries and international organisations will be looking forward to hearing the results of this pilot project in San Lawrenz and have already asked us to help them by sharing our experience of its implementation," said Dr Caruana.
The meeting was also address by San Lawrenz Mayor Noel Formosa and from a technical standpoint by the coordinator of the Dementia Intervention Team, Alex Gobey.
