The friendly city of Hafnarfjörður – with all our hearts

A supportive community for people with dementia and their families 

Hafnarfjörður municipality and The Alzheimer's Society wrote
today under a cooperation declaration on the implementation of a friendly community,
supportive and aware of the needs of people with dementia and their carers. Thus, the City of Hafnarfjörður, with professional
with the help and strong support of the Alzheimer's Society, deliberately marking the path of those who
are dementia-friendly by promoting both awareness and knowledge
of the staff and residents of the municipality. Increased awareness among all promotes well-being and
the safety of this vulnerable group, but it is believed that 4,000-5,000 individuals live with
dementia in Iceland, of whom approximately 250 are under the age of 65.
A significant increase can be expected as the nation's age rises.

^{Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Mayor of Hafnarfjörður, and Árni Sverrisson, Chairman of the Board of the Alzheimer's Association, signed a declaration of cooperation at the Bæjarbíó today.}

Let's take good care of all the less fortunate.

To mark the start of the project, a small group
and a good-natured promotional meeting was held at the Town Cinema where interesting presentations were given.
a presentation by professionals on the project's objectives, purpose and importance, as well as Rósa
Guðbjartsdóttir, Mayor of Hafnarfjörður, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, Minister of Health
and First Lady Eliza Reid delivered a short address, but Mrs Eliza Reid has been a patron
of the Alzheimer's Association for several years. The stated aim of the project is to raise awareness.
and everyone's knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases and build a community that shows them
respect, understanding and support for people with dementia and their families.

„Hafnarfjörður is a supportive community and now
We want to do even better and place a special emphasis on our people who forget.
by raising everyone's awareness of the importance of being friendly and supportive
to those individuals who forget and their carers. We are friendly and
a good community and we should be aware of our neighbours, colleagues and
other fellow travellers. We must all pull together to make individuals
with dementia able to live a good and fulfilling life in a supportive and
a safe society“ says Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, the mayor
Hafnarfjörður. „This is achieved, among other things, through increased education and knowledge of
dementias.“

^{The choir of Öldutúnsskóli in Hafnarfjörður performed several well-chosen songs for the occasion.} 

Comprehensive education for all interested parties

In the coming weeks and months, it will take place.
Training for, e.g., staff of the council's institutions and swimming pools, interested parties
residents and staff of shops and other service businesses in the town about
dementia and a supportive community. In addition to what will be advertised
Interested mentors from among the staff and residents who receive special training
and educational material to take back to their groups and/or colleagues. Thus
The City of Hafnarfjörður will be a leader in educating and training its staff, among others.
and residents about dementia and appropriate support. The aim is that all
the City of Hafnarfjörður's workplaces become supportive workplaces, but to receive
The accreditation requires that at least 50% of all staff at a site have been awarded.
appropriate education.

The Alzheimer's Association is working on this at the moment.
to establish a service centre at St. Jó's Wellbeing Centre in Hafnarfjörður for those who
have been diagnosed with dementia and their carers, and especially those who
are diagnosed at a young age. The establishment of the service centre marks a significant milestone and
a revolution in services for people with dementia and their families. Hopes
The service centre is set to open in autumn 2021. 

Other

• Increase in resources for the mentally ill
• New centre and service hub at St. Jó's Centre for Wellbeing