Our first year in existence we conducted surveys. We asked very specific questions of many every day citizens to determine what people knew about dementia. We talked to business owners, retail workers, factory employees, city officials and many more residents from a variety of occupational and economic backgrounds. After our surveys were totaled it was determined that in order for our community to become Dementia Friendly our citizens needed help in dementia education, caregiver support, and resources. With these needs in mind this is what we’ve been able to create.
Caregiver Support Group ~
In 2016 we began a caregiver support group that meets monthly. This group is guided by Jim Roe a retired minister who took care of his wife who lived with Lewy-Body dementia for twelve years. Jim runs the support group with great knowledge, incredible empathy, extensive in-site, and fabulous humor. (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.
Memory Café ~
In 2019 we began to offer a Memory Café. The caregiver and their loved one were both invited and encouraged to attend. Each meeting included some reminiscing ~ based on a monthly theme ~ and activity, and social time. This group not only created a support line for caregivers, but by including the people living with dementia, helped to create a feeling of community and belonging that can be lost so quickly with a dementia diagnosis.
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 separated into pairs. One of the pair is the resident with dementia, the other is their caregiver. The dementia student is outfitted to mimic a person with dementia ~ their vision is restricted, they may have movements that are restricted, white noise is heard through ear buds ~ 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. The second student in the pair is expected to observe and minimally assist, keeping the dementia student safe and on track. Students are surveyed before and after the dementia experience. 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.
