Thank You to Our Hosts: Milford Senior Center Welcome MCOA Membership Meeting 2/8/19
Dementia Facts 1 . Dementia itself is not a disease – it’s actually caused by lots of different diseases. 2. Dementia is not an inevitable part of getting older – while it’s true that the majority of people with dementia are over 65, the condition is not a normal part of getting older. 3. 1 IN 3 SENIORS dies with dementia – more than breast cancer and prostrate cancer combined.
More Facts 4. Dementia is more than just memory loss – most people associate dementia with memory loss, but the condition affects people in a wide variety of ways. Everyone’s experience of dementia is different. 5. It’s possible to live an independent and active life with dementia – there are many people in the US and across the world who are facing dementia head on and developing support mechanisms and strategies to live well with the condition. 6. Dementia has a bigger impact on women – with more and more women living well into their 80s, 2/3rds of the people with the disease are women.
And More.. 7. Dementia is a global issue – it’s a common myth that dementia is only an issue in the western world. Dementia is a truly global health issue, affecting 46.8 million people worldwide. 8 . There are no treatments to stop the diseases that cause dementia – while some treatments can help people to live with their symptoms a little better, there are no treatments that slow or stop diseases like Alzheimer’s. 9. Investments in research for a cure are insufficient.
So what are we doing about Dementia in MA?
Dementia Friendly Massachusetts Phase One: Dementia Friendly Massachusetts Initiative – JFCS Phase Two: Dementia Friendly Massachusetts, 3yrs - 350,000.00 An initiative of the Massachusetts Councils on Aging
Mission Statement Dementia Friendly Massachusetts is state-wide, grassroots movement comprised of organizations, individuals, and municipalities growing dementia friendly communities to become more inclusive and supportive of those living with dementia, their families, and care partners. Dementia Friendly Massachusetts is a member of Dementia Friendly America .
Current Status 148 Communities engaged 15 Communities just starting out 33 Communities working on DF and Age-Friendly – Better Together
How Do We Get there? PARTNERSHIPS MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs
How Does DFM Support You? • Quarterly Idea Exchanges • Registration open @mcoaonline.com April, June, Sept, Dec 2019 • Webinars • Direct Technical Assistance • New DFM Website
What is the Process of Becoming DF? Differs by Community • Dementia Friends/Dementia Champions Training • Memory Café • Dementia Awareness Night • Videos • Speakers
Continues…. • General Interest Meeting • Invite all of the potential sectors/community • Engage Town Manager/Elected Leaders • Fill the HS Gym
Pull together an Action Team – Formal or Informal
Use the Data at Hand
Decide What is Doable for You
What does it take to be “Recognized”? • Consult with the DFM PM • Create an Action Team/Leader • Engage 3+ community sectors • Utilize data from the MHAC • Action Plan that includes PLWD • Sign a Pledge* New with the 2018 grant
Pledge** • Communities that have already completed these steps will be grandfathered in and will be formally recognized for their work • Recognition will be done by a MA “big wig” at a MCOA Annual Meeting
DFM Communities in the House • Any Comments • Stories to Share • Questions • Suggestions • Advice
Biggest Challenges? • Engaging people living with Dementia • Reaching out to underserved communities • Hispanic Communities 2 x more likely • African Americans 1.5 x more likely • Helping people learn how to have the “Dementia Talk”
Language Matters • Frameworks Institute: Reframing the Aging Narrative • AARP Re-Imagine Campaign • UK Dementia –Friendly Media and Broadcast Guide 9/2018
According to people with Dementia and their families/caregivers, the media portrayals of Dementia… • Support incorrect presumptions about PLWD • Increase stigma and fear • Increase isolation by potentially stopping people from getting help or coming to terms with diagnosis
Do’s and Don’ts of Dementia Speak: Words to Describe the Disease • Challenging • Hopeless • Disabling • Unbearable • Life changing • Impossible • Stressful • Misery • Unique • Tragic • Plague • Epidemic • Living Death
Focus on.. • …The person LIVING • Don’t define the with the disease person by the disease • …the need for this person to get • Don’t talk about “support” feeding, dressing or other passive terms • …the people LWD who live healthy, • Don’t suggest in any productive lives way that a diagnosis sometimes for years is a death knell
What Comes from More Positive View of Dementia? • Reduce Stigma – More People Seeking Diagnosis/Treatment • Opportunity to see that you can live well with the disease • Raise Awareness of Support groups and other sources of support for families caring for a loved one • Stimulate wider discussion about what can be done to make communities DF
Beth Solztberg LCSW, MBA Jewish Family and Children’s Services Beth Solzberg manages the Alzheimer’s/Related Disorders Family Support program and works as a coordinator with the Parkinson’s Family Support Program. Beth earned her MSW and MBA from the University of Chicago and a certificate in end-of-life care from the Smith College School of Social Work. She holds an advanced credential in hospice and palliative care social work. Contact: BSoltzberg@jfcsboston.org
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