The Dementia Friendly Decatur Task Force is a group of concerned individuals that have experienced personal and/or professional encounter(s) with persons living with dementia and/or their caregivers. This volunteer group has joined to plan, rally and implement practical solutions to improve the level of awareness of community members to the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of this increasing number of citizens living in Decatur, Illinois. The group’s mission is as follows:
- Raise community members’ awareness of the symptoms, progression of the disease.
- Provide education programs, sector trainings & skill building events to empower appropriate community members’ response to the needs of persons living with dementia and their caregivers.
- Advocate for appropriate community programs and services to address the unique needs of persons living with dementia and their caregivers so they can live and thrive in the community of Decatur with the best quality of life possible.
Dementia Friendly Decatur Activities
- The Dementia Friendly Decatur Task Force is made up of a robust representation from many different sectors. The Task Force includes:
- The Community Foundation of Macon County (CLEF)
- The Macon County Mental Health Board
- Decatur Macon County Senior Center
- Macon County Starting Point
- East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging
- Macon County Sheriff
- Imboden Creek Continuing Care Community
- Memorial Health Systems
- Macon County United Way
- Heritage Behavioral Health
- Decatur City Council
- Macon County Emergency Management Agency
- Catholic Charities
- Macon County Health Department
- Macon County Board
- Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois
- Health Alliance
- DOVE, Inc
- Oxford House
- former Caregiver
- Lincolnshire Memory Care
- HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital
- Memorial Health Systems
- Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Dementia Friendly Decatur efforts began in July of 2021 and since that time the leads, which include staff from CHELP and the local AAA, have developed a strong group of key community leaders. A community wide assessment began in December of 2021 and was completed this May. Twelve focus groups were held to discuss the assessment and 49 individuals completed surveys. A total of 163 people provided input and a presentation of the collected information was presented to the key community leaders this month. In October of this year the Dementia Friendly Decatur Task Force will hold the first community summit to address what was learned from the evaluation.
Contact Dementia Friendly Decatur
Linda Little, Coordinator Dementia Friendly Decatur
CHELP
2545 Millikin Parkway
Decatur, IL 62526
217-422-9888
Email