Dementia Friendly Community Initiative
The people of Wisconsin are coming together to support their families, friends, and neighbors living with dementia. Whether someone lives in a small town or a large city, whether they are young or old, anyone can get involved in helping their community to become dementia friendly. A Dementia Friendly Community is one in which people with Dementia:
- Able to live good and comfortable lives
- Have the ability to live as independent as possible
- Continue to be a functional part of their community
- Are met with patience and understanding
- Are given support when necessary
Wisconsin Dementia Friendly Toolkit
Wisconsin’s toolkit, Building Dementia-Friendly Communities, P-01000, (PDF) provides information, resources, lessons learned, and the steps for building a dementia-friendly community. The toolkit is a collaborative effort between the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeastern Wisconsin, AARP Wisconsin, and local communities throughout the state that have implemented dementia-friendly projects. The toolkit is a user-friendly resource guide for implementing and sustaining dementia-friendly community efforts that features several Wisconsin communities’ dementia-friendly programs. Specific sections include information for use by professionals, businesses, public health, families, and individuals with dementia, including resources and services available from Wisconsin organizations and programs. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are identified as chronic diseases to be addressed by local and state public health agencies as an increasing public health issue.
Request a Training
Building a dementia friendly community takes time, dedication, and commitment by businesses, organizations, and individuals. McFarland Senior Outreach staff have completed specialized training and is available to conduct short in-service workshops to local business, faith organizations, and service groups. To request more information and schedule a training, contact McFarland Senior Outreach at 608-838-7117
The following businesses and organizations in McFarland have completed Dementia Friendly Training:
- E.D. Locke Public Library
- Forward Pharmacy
- McFarland Police Department
- McFarland Senior Outreach Department
- McFarland State Bank
Get Involved
If you would like to volunteer to promote and lead these trainings and/or assist during educational programs related to this initiative, please contact us at 608-838-7117.