News: Neillsville Transforming (24 Feb 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hansen, Sniteman

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/24/2016

Neillsville Transforming into Dementia-Friendly City (24 February 2016)


Neillsville Transforming into Dementia-Friendly City

Interesting things are happening in Neillsville … two local businesses, Sniteman Pharmacy and Hansen’s IGA are the first two businesses in Clark County to participate in the Dementia-Friendly Communities project.

What is a Dementia-friendly community? It’s a community where people with Dementia feel safe, welcome and included - where they can continue to do their banking, shopping, eat at the café and attend social activities - with the respectful support of others in the community who are Dementia-aware.

The original concept began in the United Kingdom around 2012; since then, the idea has spread to other countries around the world, including the United States. It is, in essence, a community where people with Dementia are able to participate in life as fully as they can, make choices and keep their independence as long as possible.

The Dementia-Friendly Communities initiative is being spearheaded in Clark, Buffalo and Pepin (BCP) counties by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), which is a regional center where people can go to get information on long-term care options.

Although ADRC does not provide direct care services to people, it is the “Single access point” to the programs that do provide those in-home services, such as Family Care. They can assess a person’s financial and medical situation and offer counseling options. The ADRC-BCP is also joining in Wisconsin-wide effort to create Dementia-Friendly Communities.

A Dementia friendly business is one where the staff is trained to understand what Dementia is; the signs and symptoms, and how to communicate with or assist someone who might appear confused or lost in order to help them and their care-givers avoid embarrassment, lessen isolation and feel comfortable while out and about.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services estimates there are about 100,000 individuals in Wisconsin with Dementia who live in the community. Nationwide, the number of people with Dementia will grow as the number of people age 65 and older increases.

The current long-term care system is not equipped to handle the increase in the number of people with Dementia.

For more information, contact the Clark County ADRC at 715-743-5166.