The municipality of West Maas en Waal receives the Dementia-Friendly Municipality certificate

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The Municipality of West Maas en Waal has received the Dementia-Friendly Municipality certificate. Alderman Rob Reuvers received the certificate on December 12 from Alzheimer Nederland, Nijmegen region. This certificate recognizes the efforts of the municipality, residents, and collaborative partners. They contribute to creating a society where people with dementia and their informal 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 community. Since 2022, concrete steps have been taken toward this goal. For example, training sessions and meetings have been organized on recognizing and dealing with dementia. The social services organization Sociom has also been engaged to further develop this important initiative. All of this has resulted in the municipality earning the certification.

Alderman emphasizes the importance of this recognition: “We’re proud, but we’re not there yet. I’m 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 isn’t the end goal, but rather a motivation to keep going. Together with residents, organizations, and businesses, we want to keep working toward a society where people with dementia and their caregivers feel seen and heard. We can’t do this alone. Together, we make a difference.”

Next steps

The certificate is an important recognition, but it also includes recommendations for further improvements within the municipality. The certification is valid for four years and includes a mid-term evaluation after two years. Together with residents, informal caregivers, organizations, associations, and business owners, the municipality remains committed to a future in which everyone can participate. And they will be working on implementing these recommendations.

What can residents do to help create a dementia-friendly community?

Everyone can contribute to the dementia-friendly society in West Maas en Waal. For example, by 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 aren’t sure how best to go about it can contact Joyce Fitzgerald, a community organizer at Sociom. You can reach her by phone at 06 8997 4946 or by email at joycefitzgerald@sociom.nl.

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