Dementia-Friendly Communities
of Northern Colorado®
The PlanVision of a dementia-friendly communityWhy now?How did we get started?What are we doing in Northern Colorado?Why me and “Contented Dementia?”
http://www.actonalz.org
Dementia-Friendly Communities
of Northern Colorado®
A dementia-friendly community is a place where people with dementia are:
• Able to live as independently as possible• Met with understanding• Supported as needed to be safe• Encouraged to maintain their social connections• Enabled to function in environments which minimize
anxiety and maximize purpose, dignity, contentment, and joy
WHY?
DAD
WHY?Why now?
HOW?
How do we get there?
http://www.actonalz.org/
Tempe, AZ; Santa Clara County, CA; Prince George'sCounty, MD; Knoxville, TN, the state of West Virginia,
and Denver, CO
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p01000.pdf
Define the problem
Create a vision
Build a plan
Build a coalition or network
Engage a community
Start somewhere
Evolve the initiative
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p01000.pdf
Define the problem
Create a vision
Build a plan
Build a coalition or network
Engage a community
Start somewhere
Evolve the initiative
Memory Cafes
B Sharp Arts EngagementMusic and Memory ProjectOkay Chorale
Virtual Dementia Tours
Support Groups
Educational programs-local and on-line
WHAT?What are we doing in Northern Colorado?
Just because you lose your mind, doesn’t
mean you lose your soul.
The Truth about Dementia
Dementia-Friendly Communities leverage
Expertise ResourcesActivities
Momentum
ExpertiseCollaboration among experts in for-profit, non-profit, and volunteer organizationsEldercare Network Professionals for SeniorsMedical providers, care managers, and CSU researchersPeople with dementia and their care partners advising health care professionals at Sharing the Care, in memory cafes, and in support groups
ResourcesAlzheimer’s AssociationLC Office on AgingSenior Centers, Aspen Club, Seasons ClubPrivate care managers, case managers Home care agencies (care and training) Day programs-Elderhaus, Stepping StonesMemory care units/LTC facilitiesNationally—Alzheimer’s Speaks (Dementia Chats) and others
ActivitiesB Sharp Arts Engagement programNorthern Colorado Music & Memory Project (ipods)Memory CafesThe Okay Chorale Virtual Dementia ToursHis Neighbor Phil and Alive Inside showingsParkinson’s, LBD, FTD, and Alzheimer’s support groupsCare Partners’ ministries and support groupsSenior activities through the FC Senior Center, Loveland ChilsonCenter, Elderhaus, Stepping Stones, and faith communitiesPowerful Tools for Caregiver TrainingCSU “Neighboratory” projects/studies, Aging Well initiative and other CSU research
MomentumCommitment to innovative projects, partnerships, collaboration, and living well in NOCO
Partnership for Age Friendly communities
Sharing the Care (The Conversation Project, Patient Passport—care transitions/patient advocacy/advanced care planning)
Eldercare Network (Senior Law Day, Eldercare Resource Day)
Media support-Coloradoan, 50 Plus, Reporter Herald, TV/radio
Memory Cafes keep growing.
Alzheimersspeaks.com
http://www.purpleangel-global.com
2016 goalsContinue leveraging the work already being done and catalog all known dementia-related resources and activities in Northern Colorado. Enter these resources and activities (with links when available) on the Dementia-Friendly Communities of Northern Colorado website by June 30, 2016.
Educate 30 businesses/organizations in Northern Colorado by the end of 2016 using a TAG you’re it/ grassroots/word of mouth/targeted strategy (next slide)
Throw a fabulous end of the year party to celebrate those in the community who led the way in becoming more dementia-aware/dementia-friendly during the first year of this initiative.
Providing Education to Targeted Organizations
• Businesses with increased contact due to medical condition (clinics, hospitals, EMS)
• Businesses which are part of everyday life (stores, restaurants, banks, schools)
• Influential businesses—those in power (faith communities, government offices)
• Businesses for recreation and entertainment (senior centers, health clubs, theaters)
*https://alzheimersspeaks.com/become-dementia-friendly?id=53#plh-item-1
Evolution in process:our challenges
Clarifying collaborative roles and goals
Communicating our message
Examining sustainability options
Business Training:What does it include?
• What is dementia? (photo album analogy explains WHY emotional and spiritual connection matters.)
• What are the causes?• What signs/symptoms would you expect to
observe?• What situations could you expect to encounter?• How do you respond in ways that best serve
care partners, and clients/customers living with dementia?
• How do you access resources?
The Lincoln Center--leading the way
in Northern Colorado
The Senior Center--exceptional service for an exceptional
community
Lessons learned and advice to share…so far
1. We are better together2. Take the first step and watch what
happens.3. Engage “what if” possibility thinkers and
“let’s find out” doers. 4. Collaboration is sometimes messy.5. If your vision doesn’t scare you, it’s not
big enough.
DAD
Approaches and PhilosophiesPerson-centered Care
SPECAL-Contented Dementia
Contented DementiaPenny GarnerBurford, England
The SPECAL® MethodSpecialized Early Care for Alzheimer’s
The Christmas Card StoryPenny Garner
3 Golden Rules
1. Don’t ask questions2. Learn from the expert3. Don’t contradict
© CONTENTED DEMENTIA TRUST
1. Don’t ask questions
1. Don’t ask questions
2. Learn from the Expert
1. Don’t ask questions2. Learn from the expert
3. Don’t contradict
• It’s up to you, the care partner, to change your expectations and communicate key information to everyone who interacts with your loved one.
• It’s up to US in health care to listen…and continue to communicate key information to each other.
• It’s up to US as a community to let you know that you are not alone on this journey.
Reminders to Care Partners
Dementia PassportArea of interest/expertiseName of trusted person
Explanations-for absence and presenceBest responses for repeated questions
Prior health concernsTriggers to anxiety
Best coping strategiesMusic preferencesOther preferences
With gratitude to the Contented Dementia Trust
January, 2013—3 months beforeDad left to go fishing with Jesus
Questions?
Dementia-Friendly Communities of Northern Colorado®
Cyndy Hunt Luzinski, MS, RN, CDPDementia Practitioner970-213-4548
SUPPORT THIS Volunteer INITIATIVE at dementiafriendlycommunitiesnoco.org
LIKE US on FACEBOOK
Resources/Toolkits• Alz.co.uk/dementia-friendly-communities• fightdementia.org/au• Dementia Action Alliance UK and US• Actonalz.org• Dfamerica.org• Alzheimersspeaks.com• www.purpleangel-global.com• www.alzwisc.org • http://www.contenteddementiatrust.org/