2021 Summit Portal
Becoming Dementia Friendly: 2021 Community Summit
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Summit goals
- Provide an opportunity to share what living with/caring for people with dementia looks like in Minnesota right now. What effect has COVID-19 had on people with dementia? Caregivers? What community efforts have worked to support them?
- Inform participants about statewide initiatives, tools and opportunities to help those with dementia, their caregivers and communities.
Summit Materials
Summit Video
View the video of the Summit. Jen Rooney, ACT on Alzheimer's program developer for Trellis; Julie Roles, VP of communications for Trellis; and Danette McCarthy, director of The Remember Project hosted. Many parts of the Summit were interactive and conducted in small groups. Those elements are not captured in the video. In addition, we do not have rights to publish The Remember Project theatrical video that was a part of the Summit. See the PowerPoint presentations used in the session below.
Tributes
People from across Minnesota shared their views and well wishes in Tributes prior to the 2021 Community Summit.
Welcome and Introduction
Comments by Dr. Terry Barclay, Neuropsychologist with HealthPartners and ACT on Alzheimer’s Advisory Council member.
Notes on data and sources in Dr. Barclay's comments:
- People with dementia are at a significantly higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and, when infected, they have a much higher risk of hospitalization — 59% for those with dementia versus 25% for the overall population (National Institute on Aging).
- New research indicates that COVID infections can increase a person’s likelihood of developing dementia and cause dementia symptoms to show up earlier. (Alzheimer's Association)
- For caregivers, a recent survey showed 81% reporting increased levels of stress, and 72% of those caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease at home are “unsure what would happen to their loved one” if they got sick (UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, 2021).
- The pandemic has highlighted the need for community support for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Individuals and families can’t manage the extraordinary demands on their own. Yet, too often fear, the stigma of memory loss and misconceptions about the effects of dementia (AARP, 2021) stand in the way of effective community support.
Building Dementia Awareness in Health/Dental Care
Michelle Barclay, President and Co-founder, The Barclay Group
Colleen Fritsch, Trainer, Trellis
Jen Rooney, ACT on Alzheimer’s Program Developer, Trellis
Measuring Our Successes:Dementia Friendly America Evaluation Guide
Betsy Meyer, Dementia Friendly Community Coordinator at Living at Home of the Park Rapids Area
The Remember Project
“Water Cooler” Summaries
Info Shared in Chat
Help in Organizing a Dementia-Friendly Community
The ACT on Alzheimer’s Toolkit
Dementia Friendly @ Work for Healthcare
Alzheimer's Association: Information, tools and resources for professionals working in the field of Alzheimer's and dementia care
Alzheimer's Association: Training and tools for health systems and providers on cognitive assessment, diagnosis, care planning, care management
Community info
Summaries of Act on Alzheimer's Action Communities
About Virginia Laken, a famous Winona resident who has a blog about living with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) & Dementia.
Memory Choruses
Amazing Grace Chorus video
Standing in the Light Memory Choir, Eau Claire, WI
Other Resources
Alive & Kickin
Dementia Friendly Airports
Virtual Reality Experiences - FamilyMeans can provide virtual dementia experiences using Virtual Reality technology.
VOA Culturally responsive caregiver helpline: 952-945-4034
Community Spotlights
Woodbury Dementia Partners
Memory Cafe of Red River Valley
Dementia Friendly Granite Falls
Roseville Alzheimer's & Dementia Community Action Team (RSVL A/D)
Memory Cafe of Pine Island
