Dementia Friendly: All Are Welcome Here
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Our staff recently enjoyed a training offered by the Orange County Department on Aging on dementia friendly spaces to better serve our clients and their loved ones. We learned how to recognize some of the signals of people living with dementia and talked about how we can ensure that everyone coming through our door feels welcome, comfortable and supported regardless of their cognitive stage in life.
Why are we seeking training and why do we think it is important?
First, we sought training because we are all sure to encounter dementia’s effects in our families, our friendships, our neighborhoods, our communities and perhaps in ourselves. In fact, the global prediction for 2030 is 78 million people reached by dementia.
A recent report by the North Carolina Medical Society has released the following findings:
210,500 North Carolinians aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s—11.6% of the state’s senior population.
The disease claimed 4,272 lives statewide, with a mortality rate of 39.9 per 100,000 people.
381,000 North Carolinians serve as unpaid caregivers, providing 739 million hours of care valued at $13 billion.
According to Christine John-Fuller who serves as the Executive Director of the Eastern NC Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, “This year’s report finds that the impact of Alzheimer’s on individuals and families continues to be significant. Now more than ever, we need to work to advance disease research and treatments that can slow the current trajectory and help all North Carolina families affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia.”
Second, Hillsborough Wills & Trusts sought training because there are significant ways that we can encourage inclusivity and awareness in our places of business, social spheres and private settings. Being diagnosed with Alzheimers or some other related dementia should not be a sentence for isolation, social avoidance and disconnection. More and more we are seeing and hearing stories of people with dementia living rich and full lives and making choices to remain as engaged as possible with the world around them. It takes caring partners and deliberate action to ensure open doors.
What has our local community response been to the needs of people living with dementia?
In the Fall of 2015, the Orange County Department on Aging announced the beginning of a major initiative aimed at making our community one of the most welcoming in the nation for patients and caregivers living with dementia. Alongside expanding services and resources across the county, federal funds allowed for the creation of a Dementia Friendly Business Campaign.
What began as a campaign to train local businesses to get certified as “dementia friendly” has grown into a revamped Dementia Friendly Community Campaign designed to help community members learn how to recognize the signs of dementia and how to address the particular needs of both caregivers and dementia patients. This active program includes trainings and socially inclusive events on a regular basis at our county senior centers and satellite locations.
Hillsborough Wills & Trusts has been a proud founding supporter of this initiative with the aim to make our businesses a place where people can feel comfortable and understood. We post a circular sticker on our front door to indicate we are “Dementia Friendly” and ready to offer services.
If you or someone you know can benefit from our commitment to care, we welcome the opportunity to serve you.