Our mission is to educate the citizens and businesses of our communities about the impact of dementia, the compassionate response needed, and support available, so all who are affected feel embraced, supported, and accepted while on their challenging journey.
ACT on Alzheimer’s is a grassroots organization developed by the Alzheimer’s Association with the sole purpose of creating dementia friendly communities. Forest Lake was picked as one of the first of seven pilot projects in Minnesota. We have been working as a team since 2013.
Our first goal was to conduct surveys of ordinary citizens asking them questions to understand their knowledge of dementia. While totally the results of the surveys we concluded that our community needed resources, education, and caregiver support.
Caregiver Support Group
With this information in hand, in 2016 we began a caregiver support group that meets monthly. This group is guided by Melissa Gogo who is the Memory Care Manager at Amira Choice, an Assisted Living Community in Forest Lake. Melissa has worked in aging services since 2016 and has a background in Life Long Enrichment and also in Dementia care settings.
Melissa has a passion for connecting with families who are on the journey with their loved one with dementia and desires to help educate about the different types of dementia, helpful ways to communicate with their loved ones, and understanding how to be the best caretaker they can be during this journey. She uses articles, educational videos, and discussion to give each person the chance to share and learn from each other.
Whether you are a direct caretaker of someone with dementia or desire to learn more about dementia to serve the community better, the ACT on Alzheimer’s group would be a great place to join. We meet the third Tuesday of each month. (See the Calendar for dates and times)
Resource Guide and Information
During that same time the ACT team created a Resource Guide that we’ve been able to expand with the addition of this new website. The Resource Guide includes local, state, and national, contacts that cover a myriad of needs that can help answer many questions and provide many connections for assistance.
Early Education
In 2018 our team ~ along with a wonderful teacher from the Forest Lake High School ~ created a series of lessons based on a “Dementia Experience”. The students are set up to mimic a person living with dementia ~ their vision is restricted, they may have movements that are restricted, white noise is heard through earbuds ~ once the student is “dressed” they are asked to complete everyday tasks for example, folding a basket of socks, pouring a glass of water, peeling a piece of fruit, buttoning a shirt etc. The students are able to experience a moment of what it’s like living with dementia. We have had some wonderful learning moments from the students and with this early education students have a greater understanding sooner of what dementia is increasing not only their knowledge, but their empathy for those around them. We were welcomed into the regular curriculum beginning in the 2018~2019 school year.
What’s in a Name
When the pilot project began we were asked to focus on one community. When the pilot portion ended we’ve been able to expand our focus to include surrounding areas. In 2018 we changed our name to reflect our expansion and are now known as ACT on Alzheimer’s Lakes Area.
If you would like to get involved or learn more about what we do, please contact us for more information.
