A Memorable Year for Memory Care
2019 was a year of growth for Dementia Friendly America. What began as a grassroots effort has now grown into a solid community program, working with businesses to create safe spaces for those living with a neurocognitive disorder. Over 100 businesses and organizations have committed to become Dementia Friendly: Retailers are creating dementia friendly check-outs or offering the services of a trained personal shopper; Financial services professionals will use dementia-friendly practices to help maintain clients’ independence while protecting them from financial abuse; A faith community will help keep the person living with progressive dementia remain connected, and much more. We are deeply grateful to Adams and York County businesses that have embraced Dementia Friendly America and are taking steps to learn how to serve our aging population better.
Providing support to caregivers and those living with a neurocognitive disorder continues to be a core service provided by our Memory Care team, with frequent invitations to participate in social and educational groups that promote mind, body and spirit. In partnership with UPMC Hanover and the Adams County Office of aging, we were able to offer our 8-week Early Stage Support Group twice in 2019, impacting over 50 people for the better. In all of these groups, deep friendships, acceptance and a judgement-free sense of belonging bring ongoing benefits to participants.
As a member of the PA Department of Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Task Force, I am unfailingly welcome in the field offices of local politicians, all eager to learn more: it is not uncommon to be granted one hour… and stay double the allotted time to answer all the questions I get. One goal of the Task Force is to create a Dementia Friendly Commonwealth by working to develop Dementia Friendly Communities in each county, and several members of the Department of Aging have taken steps to become Dementia Friends.
The demand for education in our community is growing, and we provided information to various groups such as faith communities, civic groups, state and local associations, hospital settings, elected officials, school systems, universities, Department of Aging, and the Alzheimer’s Association in the past year. We also taught more than 50 people through the daylong course needed to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and held three memory screenings at no cost to the community.
A brand-new awareness event of ours was The Day of Light and Love, a day of fun-filled activities which promoted laughter and a warm embrace for those living with a neurocognitive disorder and those caring for a person. It was truly a day to remember. As this year rushes to a close, we are thankful for the community’s enthusiastic buy-in, and we look forward to furthering our message of awareness, information and hope in 2020.
Jennifer Holcomb, Director of Memory Support – Cross Keys Village