The Dementia Friendly IL Quad Cities is developing a plan to make the Quad Cities a Dementia Friendly Community, with personal and professional connections and encounters with caregivers and people living with dementia or a dementia like illness. This group is planning on education and community involvement to help raise awareness of the importance of being an inclusive community for people living with dementia. The group will provide education to businesses, agencies, local officials regarding symptoms, inclusion, and how to interact. They will also provide resources to caregivers, including Stress Busting classes, support groups, literature, and resource booklets. Our intent is to be a multi-city as well as a bi-state Dementia Friendly area, working with a Dementia Friendly action team in Davenport and Bettendorf, IA.
Dementia Friendly Activities
The Dementia Friendly Illinois Quad Cities Action Team consists of 7 members who represent a local non-profit, the Area Agency on Aging, various healthcare organizations, and a day care program. They have also received additional letters of support including their State Representative. The Action Team has already reached out to Libraries, Hospital, City Leaders, City Officials, District representatives, Human Rights Council, Therapy Agencies, Caregivers currently and previously.
From personal and professional experiences and with input from the groups listed above, the Dementia Friendly Community Action Team created a survey which will be shared with those living with dementia, community agencies, businesses, and local officials. The team will review the surveys when completed.
Several members of the Action Team have already become a Dementia Champion and presentations about Dementia Friendly have already been given to the city of Rock Island. The city of Moline has already started a DEI campaign regarding citizens with dementia.
The Action Team has plans to provide education for the community and local businesses. There is also plans to provide resources and support for caregivers.
Dementia Friendly Contact
Michelle Dyer
Project NOW, Inc, CAA/Rock Island County Senior Center
mdyer@projectnow.org
309-788-6335