What it takes to create a dementia friendly community

This past spring the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County received an Impact 100 grant to help launch its Dementia Friendly Community Initiative.

The goal of a dementia friendly community is to create an environment of awareness that allows individuals with dementia to live as independently as possible in a situation where they are accepted as part of their community, have quality and purpose to their lives, and are given support whenever necessary. 

With more than 6,000 Indian River County individuals touched by dementia, and that number set to double by 2030, the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association is moving fast to educate area businesses about the challenges and needs of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

The Impact 100 grant awarded to the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association was used to purchase an RV —referred to as a “rolling classroom”— to take around town to area banks, grocery stores, senior living communities, churches and other businesses to train employees and elevate awareness about the needs of people living in Indian River County who are grappling with some form of dementia, and how to better interact with those people and their caregivers.  An outreach coordinator was hired to coordinate this effort and make those vital connections with the business community.

Part of the dementia friendly business training includes an opportunity to take a Virtual Dementia Tour® (a program developed by Second Wind Dreams)— an experience that enhances understanding and empathy for caregivers and family members of people grappling with Alzheimer’s disease and related memory disorders.

Elements of the tour simulate diminished physical and sensory skills as participants wear:

• Glasses that simulate macular degeneration
• Shoe inserts that give the experience of what it might be like to have peripheral neuropathy
• Gloves that hinder the wearer’s sense of touch
• Headphones that play “confusion” tapes.

Individuals affected by memory impairments benefit by thriving in an environment that reduces the stigma of dementia and feelings of isolation by providing support to families as they try to provide a meaningful quality of life for their loved ones.

The business training provided by the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association helps employees increase sensitivity regarding those in our community who are suffering from any form of dementia.

Peggy Cunningham, Executive Director of the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association, said “In keeping aligned with a groundbreaking national effort, communities across the United States are announcing that they will become ‘dementia friendly.’ Dementia friendly communities of the future will be ones where their citizenry is informed and respectful of individuals with dementia, providing supportive options, and fostering a better quality of life. We hope to make Indian River County one of those communities.”

For more information on the Dementia Friendly Community training, contact Claire Babcock, Outreach Coordinator, at 772-563-0505 or claireb@alzpark.org.

About the organization

The Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County is dedicated to serving county residents with disorders affecting memory and movement by promoting quality of life and choice through advocacy, support, empowerment, education and research connections. Check out their Facebook page.