Creating a Dementia Friendly Community

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 99,000 Minnesotans are living with Alzheimer’s and another 170,000 people are caregivers. We believe more needs to be done to support people living with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias and their loved ones who are impacted by the disease. We invite others to join us in our efforts to create a community that is engaging, respectful, safe and informed.

Creating a dementia-friendly community involves:

  • Raising awareness about Alzheimer’s, transforming attitudes, and moving people to action

  • Supporting family and friend caregivers by providing accessible information, resources, and in-person support

  • Promoting meaningful participation in community life for everyone

Creating a dementia friendly community involves a series of initiatives that includes all sectors of a community including: health care, hospitals, residential settings, legal and financial, faith communities, local government, emergency services, transportation and businesses.

TimeSlips Storytelling Sessions

Fridays – 1:30-2:30pm – August 2 – September 13 – October 11 – November 8
Shared Spaces at Emy Frentz, 523 S. Second Street, Mankato

Saturdays – 10:30-11:30am – June 22 – August 17 – September 28 – October 26 – November 23
Blue Earth County Library, 100 E. Main Street, Mankato

Storytelling is a gift enjoyed by people in all stages of life! TimeSlips storytelling sessions provide an opportunity for participants to imagine, create, and tell new stories, and are specially designed to be an experience that people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can share with a family member or friend.

Learn More

No cost. Space is limited, registration required. Register here: TimeSlips Registration or email katoactonalz@gmail.com.

Rhythmic Times

Meeting twice a month on Tuesdays through December 10, 1:15-2:15 pm at Hosanna Lutheran Church
Join Marissa Humburg, a music therapist, and other adults for an enriching time creating new rhythms through singing, reminiscing and playing percussion instruments.

Learn More

Questions? Email Marissa at southernminnesotamt@gmail.com

Education 

Education is key to raising awareness and supporting people impacted by Alzheimer’s. Our Action Team provides the following sessions at no charge.

Dementia Friends Minnesota

Dementia Friends is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. By helping everyone in a community understand what dementia is and how it affects people, each of us can make a difference for people touched by dementia.

Consider hosting a session for your family, neighbors, friends, small group or book club!

What is a Dementia Friend?

To become a Dementia Friend, you participate in a one-hour Dementia Friends Information Session presented by a Dementia Friends Champion. You will learn five key messages about dementia and a bit about what it’s like to live with dementia. As a Dementia Friend, you turn your new understanding of dementia into a practical action that can help someone living in your community. Your action can be big or small – because every action counts!

Download PDF

Dementia Friendly @ Work

The ACT on Alzheimer’s Dementia Friendly @ Work training is a one hour educational session for staff of business and service organizations, as well as other community settings. The training focuses on understanding dementia, communication tips and taking action to create an environment that is safe, respectful, and welcoming for people living with dementia.

We are also available to help arrange additional community education from the Alzheimer’s Association.

Complete the contact form to learn more or schedule a session.

Download PDF

Resources

A Resource Guide for Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias
The guide provides a comprehensive overview and contact information for local and statewide resources, such as transportation, support groups, meal services and long-term care providers.

Download Resource Guide

Recommended Reading
The Action Team recommends the following books. The books are available at the Blue Earth County Library and the North Mankato Taylor Library.

Download Recommended Reading List

For additional information, visit the Alzheimer’s AssociationPlease note that the Alzheimer’s Association has a 24/7 HELPLINE, call 800-272-3900.

The Senior LinkAge Line is a free service of the state of Minnesota and will connect you to a local aging expert. Call 800-333-2433 for more information.

Singing Hills Chorus 

Singing Hills Chorus is an affliliate member of the Giving Voice Iniative. The chorus is especially created for persons living with Alzheimer’s or another related dementia, and their care partners. We offer two 16-week session (includes concert and reflection gathering) a year and perform a concert at the end of each session.

Learn More About Singing Hills Chorus

About the Mankato & North Mankato ACT on Alzheimer’s Action Team

Mankato and North Mankato became an ACT on Alzheimer’s community in 2014 and is led by a group of volunteers that make up the Action Team. We are one of over 40 ACT on Alzheimer’s dementia-friendly communities in Minnesota. The Action Team represents several sectors of the community: community members with a personal connection to the disease, MSU-Mankato, home and community based services providers, long-term care providers, a member of the clergy, aging services, businesses and government agencies.

As a statewide collaboration, ACT on Alzheimer’s fosters collective ownership and accountability in preparing Minnesota for the personal, social and budgetary impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. No single organization owns, finances or controls the statewide initiative.

Get Involved 

Interested parties are welcome to join the team at any time. Bring your ideas and help implement our various initiatives.

Sandi LubrantTeam Lead
katoactonalz@yahoo.com

Partnership Highlight

Minnesota State University, Mankato College of Allied Health & Nursing

This valuable partnership engages both students and faculty in real-world learning with an impact on families and the community. They have engaged students by integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia education throughout their programs and by giving presentations about the initiative.

ACT on Alzheimer’s
www.actonalz.org

Support Us

Help Support Mankato & North Mankato ACT on Alzheimer’s

Support the local Mankato & North Mankato ACT on Alzheimer’s initiative and help make Mankato & North Mankato a dementia friendly community.

Donate Now
Donations are made to Twin Rivers Council for the Arts, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation. Twin Rivers is the fiscal agent for Mankato & North Mankato ACT on Alzheimer’s. Contributions made on behalf of Mankato & North Mankato ACT on Alzheimer’s to Twin Rivers Council for the Arts and are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Want to get involved?