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:
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Raising awareness about Alzheimer’s, transforming attitudes, and moving people to action
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Supporting family and friend caregivers by providing accessible information, resources, and in-person support
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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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
For additional information, visit the Alzheimer’s Association. Please 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.
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 Lubrant, Team 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.