COORDINATOR of the Collie Adult Day Centre Wendy Akkerman has just completed her Certificate 4 in dementia practice through Alzheimer's Australia.
The Perth based training program is run through Alzheimer's Australia and has an intake of 10 people in WA two times a year to take part in the course.
Ms Akkerman is planning on educating the community on the effects of dementia and said she hopes to do workshops with the community.
"We want to educate the community on Alzeimers, and how we can become a more Alzeimers friendly town."
The centre plans to run more dementia specific programs that will provide respite and support to families as well as information and assistance to sufferers of the disease.
"We want to be a point of call for information relating to dementia from patients and their family and friends," Ms Akkerman said.
The centre plans to help dementia patients to keep their minds active through various activities, and make them feel like they are still a part of the community.
Ms Akkerman said that many sufferers are still living at home and some even still live independently.
"Dementia suffers can sometimes feel like they are losing control of their lives so it was important to have access to the appropriate information so they can understand these changes."
Ms Akkerman said it was important that regional areas such as Collie can have access to this information on the disease and resources on how to deal with it.
Through her training, Ms Akkerman learnt not just the neurological effects of the disease, but also how to deal with patients on a day to day basis.
Ms Akkerman explained that some dementia sufferers lose their spatial awareness which makes it hard for them to determine certain signage or colours.
"Having a dementia friendly community would mean not putting signs in certain colours, or having bathroom facilities in differing colours so all the white doesn't blend in."
The biggest way to make a community dementia friendly is through educating the community on the difficulties that dementia suffers can face, Ms Akkerman explained.
The Adult day centre will receive ongoing support and guidance from Alzheimer's Australia.
You can contact Wendy or Ros at the Day centre on 9734 2354 for more information.
