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/