The UW Medicine Memory and Brain Wellness Center is proud to lead the Dementia Friends program in Washington State on behalf of the Dementia Action Collaborative.
Dementia Friends play a part in building Dementia-Friendly Communities. New Dementia Friends turn what they learn about dementia during an Information Session into action. Many new Dementia Friends choose to support dementia-friendly efforts in their community as their action item. Dementia Friendly America describes a dementia friendly community as “a village, town, city, or county that is informed, safe, and respectful of individuals living with dementia, their families and caregivers, and provides supportive options that foster quality of life.”
Spokane is a Dementia-Friendly Community, featuring ongoing efforts to create a supportive environment for individuals living with dementia. The Spokane Regional Dementia-Friendly Community webpage shares the history and accomplishments of the dementia-friendly community. The website also explains how the community can get involved by attending events, participating in training sessions, becoming a dementia-friendly business/organization, and supporting dementia-friendly practices. The overarching goal is to build a network of compassionate and knowledgeable individuals and organizations to better serve those affected by dementia.
Congratulations to Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, which covers the program in Ferry, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman counties. The agency has shown tremendous growth in fostering the program, supported by increased volunteer participation through the Spokane Regional Dementia Friendly Community.
Courtesy: Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington
Carefully planned outreach efforts have more than tripled the number of program participants, from 300 to 1113, in less than two years!
At the same time, they expanded the Memory Cafe network from one to three locations in Spokane County. Memory Cafés in Spokane County are led by the Spokane County Library District, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Spokane Public Library system. They provide social settings for people dealing with dementia and memory loss and who are curious about it.
Bruce Dentler, Tara Hill Matthews, and Jenni Jones, staff members at Aging Long Term Care of Eastern WA and Dementia Friends Regional Coordinators, have been hard at work, providing sessions at libraries, businesses, churches, senior living facilities, and for social/health care workers. Dentler, Chair of the agency's Faith Communities Subcommittee, used skill and innovation to forge inroads that reach into faith-based organizations
"Dementia Friends Champions and SRDFC volunteers are a passionate group of people with a wide range of interests,'' says Tara Hill Matthews, Dementia Resource Catalyst in Spokane.
“We’re so grateful for everything they do, like leading information sessions in their own communities, using our Dementia Certification to make local organizations dementia-friendly, designing and creating a memory garden, running Memory Cafes and support groups, creating curricula specific to faith communities, and distributing community resources to primary care providers. It’s been rewarding to see our visions from two years ago become a reality. I feel so lucky to work with and learn from all of them!" said Hill-Matthews.
Another publication to check out to learn more about Dementia Friends and the Spokane Regional Dementia Friendly Community is the Spokane Area Dementia Newsletter. This fantastic publication highlights a range of resources and events for individuals affected by dementia and their caregivers. It features upcoming support groups, educational workshops, and community activities aimed at improving quality of life and providing assistance. Key announcements include new local programs designed to offer respite care, enhance caregiver skills, and foster community connections. The newsletter also emphasizes the importance of continued education and offers tips for managing dementia-related challenges. Check out the most recent edition.
Interested in becoming a Dementia Friend in Eastern WA who takes action to help build this dementia friendly community? Learn more. - Katie Zeitler
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