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Starting the New Year Off Strong as We Welcome Five New Communities to the DFA Network
Vandalia, IL
As a rural community recognizing the needs of its members, Dementia Friendly Vandalia seeks to raise awareness, reduce stigma, provide resources and increase support for people living with dementia and their care partners through education and coordination of resources. Businesses, local government, faith-based and community-based organizations, health care settings and the health department have come together as Dementia Friendly Vandalia’s task force with the aim of creating supportive places in the community for those living with dementia and their care partners.
Winchester, VA
Spearheaded by DementiaMatters of Winchester, VA, Dementia Friendly Blue Ridge is a collaborative effort convening local government officials, key internal and external stakeholders as well as older adults, individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Dementia Friendly Blue Ridge has many initiatives including delivering Dementia Friends sessions across sectors of the community with the support of twenty-five trained Dementia Friends Champions and working with the medical community to encourage early and accurate diagnosis of dementia.
Erie, PA
Dementia Friendly Erie, led by LECOM Institute for Successful Aging in partnership with the local Alzheimer’s Association, is striving to improve outcomes and opportunities for individuals living with dementia and their professional and personal care partners. To ensure dementia friendly initiatives are responsive to the needs of the individuals in Erie, the action team will hold four listening sessions across sectors and with people living with dementia and their care partners and use these sessions to develop strategic objectives that will inform dementia friendly efforts in their community.
Bettendorf, IA
Dementia Friendly Davenport/Bettendorf is a collective effort led by an action team dedicated to educating, engaging and empowering medical providers, cultural institutions, first responders and faith-based communities through their various Dementia Champions. The Dementia Friendly Davenport/Bettendorf Dementia Champions will work within the community to host Dementia Friends sessions, offer dementia education and raise awareness about how those living with dementia interact with the world around them. The action team will focus on key objectives that champions can pursue to make the community a navigable place for those living with dementia and their care partners. As the momentum for this initiative increases, the action team plans to publish a guidebook of local resources and supports for people living with dementia.
Gilbert, AZ
Dementia Friendly Gilbert is committed to fostering a community where everyone can successfully be engaged, connected and supported. This initiative, using a three-prong approach, is dedicated to providing training, programs and resources for everyone in the community. Dementia Friendly Gilbert‘s training will include frontline customer service workers, local business staff and first responders to enhance their awareness of dementia and their communication and engagement skills when interacting with people living with dementia. Members of the action team will also work directly with local businesses to teach them how to successfully adapt their practices and connect with caregivers and those living with dementia.
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