News
8 November, 2026
Steps being taken to make Bundanoon dementia friendly
Steps are being taken to make Bundanoon ‘dementia friendly’ as part of a new initiative to be launched later this month (November).
Steps are being taken to make Bundanoon ‘dementia friendly’ as part of a new initiative to be launched later this month (November).
The initiative – supported by the Bundanoon Community Association – comes in response to concerns that as many as 100 people in the village may be living with some form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
It is being driven by two residents with a long history in the field of dementia, Dr Meredith Gresham and Trisha Shield.
It is designed to educate people on how to spot signs of dementia and how to communicate and support those people in the community living with dementia.
The initiative has the support of Wingecarribee Shire councillor and Bundanoon resident Rachel Russell and the great majority of Bundanoon businesses.
The launch of the ‘Dementia and You Dementia Friendly Bundanoon’ initiative will be held on Thursday, November 26 in the supper room at Bundanoon Soldiers Memorial Hall and will coincide with the third in a series of information sessions given by Dr Gresham.
The session is aimed at people living with dementia, carers, family and friends and anyone in Bundanoon interested in helping to make the village more dementia friendly.
As part of the Dementia Friendly Bundanoon initiative, residents living with dementia are being encouraged to wear a green wristband or lanyard which enables them to be easily identified.
The sunflower is an internationally recognised symbol for people with a living hidden disability, enabling them to voluntarily share they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent by wearing a wristband or lanyard.
It indicates they may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time in shops, at work, on transport or in public spaces.
According to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme, there are 1.6 billion people globally – or roughly 16 per cent of the world’s population – who experience some form of disability.
For many, that disability is not visible and was acquired after birth.
Information being distributed by Dementia Friendly Bundanoon says dementia can make a person confused or overwhelmed if there is a number of different things happening around them, such as background noise, lots of people, music or someone asking them a question.
It provides a number of suggestions on how to communicate with someone with dementia (such as speaking gently, clearly and waiting for a response) or what to do if the person is having trouble communicating (such as simply asking them if they need assistance).
It says some types of dementia can make a person more likely to act in ways that are not considered socially acceptable, and the appropriate response is to avoid becoming confrontational or argumentative and to respond gently and calmly.
Free sunflower merchandise will be available at the November 26 event.
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