50+ Lifestyles

Hey Quad Cities – How Dementia-Friendly Are We?

By Kathy Weiman, MPA, ECHM
CEO, Alternatives

Many of you have been there – the family social gathering with an older, loved family member who now has dementia.  Or, perhaps, you’ve been at a public space (library, post office, grocery store, etc.) and engaged with an old friend now caring for their spouse who has dementia. Everyone wants to be supportive and yet, unsure of what to say or how to interact.

For those who provide the primary care for a person with dementia, they often see friends and family start to draw back, often subconsciously, as dementia progresses. During these times, we could let friends and family withdraw. However, we would be missing a wonderful opportunity to share ways to embrace the person with dementia.  We do know that exposing others to living with dementia increases their familiarity and reduces their fear.    

Gaining traction across America is the concept of creating both “Age Friendly” and “Dementia Friendly” communities. A Dementia Friendly Community can be defined as a place or culture in which people with dementia and their caregivers are supported and included in society, their rights are understood and their full potential is recognized.  Communities embracing this approach have twin objectives to: increase understanding of and to reduce stigma associated with dementia.

This effort starts with you and me; one person at a time learning how to interact and how to share the gifts of each person with dementia.  It helps to acknowledge our own fears and be self-aware of our own reactions to someone who has dementia.  That’s the best starting point. Then, we can take cues from the primary caregiver or others who are good at inviting the person into their conversation.  They are generally the best models of “how to” for the person they know best.

• And, take a look around. How do we do as a community of the Quad Cities?
• Are walking spaces familiar, accessible, and with graphic signage or landmarks that ease wayfinding?
• Is there a range of housing options for people with dementia at various stages?
• Are there organized activities that allow people with dementia to participate?
• Does public transportation require passengers to handle money and/or are there guides available to assist?
• Have staff at various business been trained on ways to recognize signs of dementia and how to support customers with dementia?
• Do employers accommodate caregiver responsibilities?
• Are Quad City health service providers equipped to screen, diagnose, educate and support people with dementia?

Essentially, every part of the community plays a role to create a Dementia-Friendly culture. With 1 in 3 individuals over the age of 85 and 1 in 9 over the age of 65 currently living with dementia, now is the time to work together to create a community that will “allow people to realize their potential for physical, social and mental well-being through the life course and to participate in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need it.”   

To learn more about community initiatives to create Age Friendly or Dementia Friendly communities, check out:

Dementia-Friendly America – www.dfamerica.org

AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities – www.aarp.org/livable-communities

Give me a call at Alternatives. (800-798-0988, ask for Kathy Weiman).  I’d love to talk further about ways to strengthen the Quad Cities “dementia-friendliness!”

Kathy Weiman is CEO at Alternatives. She can be reached at 800-798-0988 or KWeiman@alternativesforyou.org.