Putten leads the way in dementia-friendly initiatives with free training for residents and businesses
Putten is setting an example as a dementia-friendly municipality, offering free training to help residents and businesses support those with dementia. With rising dementia cases, these efforts ensure everyone can participate in daily life safely and with dignity.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Putten (Gelderland) |
| Certification Received | Dementia-Friendly Municipality (April 2024) |
| Training Provider | Samen Dementievriendelijk |
| Training Cost | Free |
| Key Training Topics | Understanding dementia, recognizing signs, appropriate responses |
| Municipal Employee Training | Completed by many employees (March 24, 2026) |
| Existing Initiatives | Memory support points, Alzheimer’s Meeting Point, dementia-friendly venues |
| Contact Person | Alie van den Brink (Samen Dementievriendelijk) |
The municipality of Putten plays a key role in fostering an inclusive community by promoting dementia-friendly policies and initiatives. By collaborating with local organizations and businesses, it ensures that residents with dementia can continue to participate in society safely and comfortably.
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Become dementia-friendly: training for residents and organizations
In April 2024, Putten received the Dementia-Friendly Municipality certificate. This is a wonderful recognition for everyone who contributes to supporting residents with dementia. We want people with early-stage dementia to remain fully engaged in society for as long as possible.
More and more residents are affected by dementia, so it is important that Putten remains a place where they feel safe, welcome, and understood. This includes being able to shop calmly, having a friendly chat in a store, or visiting the hairdresser—simply being able to participate as usual.
What is already happening in Putten?
Putten has already implemented many measures for people with dementia, such as:
- Memory support points
- An Alzheimer’s Meeting Point
- Dementia-friendly meeting places
- The Dementia Platform
Local businesses and shopkeepers also play a crucial role. Small adjustments can make a big difference, such as clear communication, patience, and recognizability. These efforts greatly benefit people with dementia and their caregivers.
Make your organization dementia-friendly
Is your organization, business, or association already dementia-friendly? Simple steps can help create a welcoming environment for people with dementia. Taking the training is a great first step, and you can even complete it for free online.
Everyone will encounter someone with dementia at some point. The "Samen Dementievriendelijk" (Together Dementia-Friendly) training helps you respond appropriately. You will learn:
- What dementia is
- How it feels to live with dementia
- How to recognize signs of dementia
- How to respond calmly and appropriately
Municipal employees complete training
On March 24, many municipal employees participated in the training. They received practical tips on recognizing dementia and responding effectively using the "Doe GOED" method: Reassure (Geruststellen), Make eye contact (Oogcontact), Think along (Even meedenken), and Thank them (Dankjewel).
Request training and find out more
Samen dementievriendelijk
Alie van den Brink