Municipality of West Maas en Waal receives Dementia-Friendly Municipality certificate

The municipality of West Maas en Waal has received the Dementia-Friendly Municipality certificate. On December 12, Alderman Rob Reuvers was presented with the certificate by Alzheimer Nederland, Nijmegen region. This certificate recognizes the efforts of the municipality, residents, and partners. They are helping to create a society in which people with dementia and their caregivers can continue to participate for as long as possible.

Working together to build a dementia-friendly society

In the 2022-2026 coalition agreement, the municipality expressed its ambition to become a dementia-friendly society. Concrete steps have been taken in this direction since 2022. For example, training courses and meetings have been organized on recognizing and dealing with dementia. The welfare organization Sociom has also been called in to further develop this important theme. All of this has resulted in the municipality obtaining the certificate.

Alderman Reuvers emphasizes the importance of this recognition: "We are proud, but we are not there yet. I am proud that we are the first municipality in the region to receive this certificate from Alzheimer Nederland. The growing number of residents with dementia makes it clear that this is not an end point, but a motivation to continue. Together with residents, associations, and businesses, we want to continue working toward a society in which people with dementia and their caregivers feel seen and heard. We cannot do this alone. Together, we can make a difference."

Next steps

The certificate is an important recognition, but it also comes with recommendations for further improvement of the municipality. The certification is valid for four years and includes an interim evaluation after two years. Together with residents, informal caregivers, organizations, associations, and entrepreneurs, the municipality remains committed to a future in which everyone can participate. And they will get to work on the recommendations.

What residents can do to create a dementia-friendly society

Everyone can contribute to a dementia-friendly society in West Maas en Waal. Consider, for example, taking a free online training course on dementia. Enabling people with dementia to continue participating in activities at associations. Or training staff to act in a dementia-friendly manner.

Residents who have an idea but don't know how best to go about it can contact Joyce Fitzgerald, community worker at Sociom. She can be reached by phone at 06 8997 4946 or by email at joycefitzgerald@sociom.nl.

Information about the free training courses can be found at www.samendementievriendelijk.nl.