If all the people in Illinois with dementia lived in a single city, it would be the second largest after Chicago, so building dementia friendly communities in Illinois is of significant importance.
Illinois was recognized as a Dementia Friendly state in 2017, as part of Dementia Friendly America. Currently nine communities in Illinois are designated as Dementia Friendly with many more in the process. ICRN supports Dementia Friendly Illinois and has collected resources to help the efforts of communities in Illinois to become part of the Dementia Friendly America movement.
Dementia Friends Illinois is a grass-roots effort for community members to become aware of the steps they can take individually and collectively to improve the lived experience of persons with dementia and their support systems.
Caregiving is a difficult task, ICRN provides tips on practical caregiving.
Find support groups for caregivers and people with dementia.
ICRN provides information about events, training sessions and webinars all aimed to assist those caring for or living with dementia.
As we entered 2020, Mental Health America (MHA) was gearing up for yet another amazing Annual Conference in June in the heart of Washington, DC. The venue, programs and speakers were all in place to make it one of the best events…
Finding a way to stay connected during this time of stress and social distancing.
During the spread of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, we are all feeling more lonely and disconnected. If you are living with or caring for someone with dementia that feeling is even stronger. Both family members and healthcare staff are feeling this stress too.
We began #WordsOfComfort to bring us together and share words of support, advice and comfort as we move through this time. We hope these words of comfort help each of us to know that we are not alone.
Roly has been with our family for two years. He does so much to help in the care of my husband Kevin and is part of our family. This shirt says it all!
“Some people live their whole life and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world but a Caregiver doesn’t have that problem.”
The support group meetings were a life-line to me as I was navigating the care of my late husband, who had early-onset Alzheimer’s. I remember another spouse saying her husband had recently gone on a special day-trip for Alzheimer’s patients. The spouse said, “He doesn’t remember the trip, but he had a good time.” I was completely baffled. Why did he bother to go on a trip that he did not remember? I soon realized that any enjoyable experience contributes to our well-being and is therefore beneficial. It’s like a good night’s sleep. We don’t remember it, but it does us good.
When I think of the caregivers that I’ve come to know and love, I am blown away by the sheer force of their devotion, advocacy and unconditional love for their companions, most often the spouse. I think of how they are taking those marriage vows to heart while at the same time experiencing such profound sadness and loss.
