Bruges


The city of Bruges in Belgium has a population of about 117,000 people.  A little over 2,000 of the residents are documented to have dementia.  The city is working to become a more supportive and safe environment for those with dementia.

Bruges's efforts include a database for the police which provides demographic information about the patients in case they need police assistance.  A symbol which looks like a red, knotted square of cloth is being put up in public places to indicate havens where patients and their care providers can seek assistance.  The city-wide efforts are designed to help reduce the stigma associated with dementia.  

Bruges has been recognized along with nine other initiatives for these efforts and has won a Living Well with Dementia 2012 EFID award.   

I would love to see initiatives like these here in the U.S.  

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