Alderman Mariëlle Vavier opened the Forget-me-not path in the Hague district of Waldeck (Loosduinen) last week. This special path, recognizable by the blue forget-me-nots on the tiles, helps make the city more dementia-friendly.
A path that helps and raises awareness
The path runs between Cardia elderly care location Tabitha and Shopping Centre Waldeck. It is intended to help people with dementia find their way. In addition, the path makes neighbors aware that there are people with dementia who have memory problems. It invites them to pay extra attention to each other and offer help where necessary.
Alderman Mariëlle Vavier (care): “It is wonderful that this path was created with the support of so many different parties. People with dementia can sometimes lose their way or become insecure in their own neighbourhood. This path helps them, literally and figuratively. It also reminds us how important it is for neighbors to look out for each other. Together we can ensure that people with dementia feel safe and seen in our city.”
Janneke Haasnoot, regional manager of Cardia Tabitha: “We believe it is important that residents maintain their independence for as long as possible, and this path contributes to this. It is extra special to be able to open this now that Tabitha on Mozartlaan is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year!”
A special and symbolic opening
After a warm welcome at Tabitha with a snack and a drink, Alderman Vavier laid the last tile together with resident Ans Ruijters-Hoff, officially opening the path. The path was then walked with the applause of residents, informal carers, volunteers, employees of Cardia, entrepreneurs from the shopping centre and representatives of Alzheimer Nederland and the municipality of The Hague.
Dementia-friendly together
For shopkeepers and residents, the short online training together dementia-friendly from Alzheimer Nederland and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport is available. Thanks to this training, they can better recognize dementia and help people with dementia better. Everyone can follow this short training at www.samendementievriendelijk.nl . In this way, we work together on a dementia-friendly city, in which everyone feels welcome and supported.
Text: Gemeente Den Haag. Translation: The Hague Online Photos: Martijn Beekman.
Councillor Mariëlle Vavier, resident Ans Ruijters-Hoff and Youri Romein who laid the path.