Dementia Empowerment Groups: A promising collaborative approach for improving the well-being and inclusion of people living with dementia

Dementia Empowerment Groups: A promising collaborative approach for improving the well-being and inclusion of people living with dementia The Dementia Empowerment Groups: Place-based organizing for dementia inclusive communities, Six Nations, Hamilton, Haldimand and Halton Project (2023-2025) is a collaborative, community-based project that is led by the HCoA and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The aim of the project is to co-develop and to co-implement programs, practices and initiatives with people who live with dementia, local organizations and supporting partners to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia (PLWD), their care partners and their families in their local communities.The project is informed by asset-based community development (ABCD) and is a catalyst for collective action and capacity building for the equitable inclusion of people living with dementia (Dementia Empowerment Groups) and collaborations with local organizations and project partners. The project included partnerships with Six Nations of the Grand River Health Services, the Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton Halton, McMaster Gilbrea Centre for Studies on Aging, GERAS Centre for Aging Research and Dementia Empowerment Groups.This presentation will provide a brief overview of Dementia Empowerment Groups and early evaluation findings of their efficacy in advancing the wellbeing and social inclusion of PLWD. Evaluation measures indicate improved health and wellbeing and empowerment for PLWD. Co-presenters who are members of the MICE (Memory Inclusive Communities Everywhere) Haldimand Dementia Empowerment Group will share their experiences and describe their development and activities to advance dementia-friendly communities to date. Lastly, the presentation will highlight our approaches to scale, spread and sustain Dementia Empowerment Groups in regions of Southern Ontario, Canada.Through co-design and collaboration, we are learning more about the positive personal and community level impacts of Dementia Empowerment Groups as a promising approach for community-led engagement and influence on addressing social determinants of health, reducing inequities, and advancing people-centered care for people living with dementia.