The Sterling Dementia Friendly Task Force represents a range of community members. The key members of the Task Force represent a broad range of community sectors. Members of the task force are from the Dementia Navigator program, the CGH Medical Center, the Whiteside County Senior Center, Castor Home Health Solutions, local government, the CGH Health Foundation, the Sauk Valley Chamber, the University of IL Extension program, the Alzheimer’s Association, the local Area Agency on Aging, residents of Whiteside County and a retired English teacher. Members of the task force are in regular contact with people living with dementia and their caregivers and will continually ask for their input.
The Dementia Friendly Sterling Task Force has already been meeting regularly, and several members have become Dementia Champions. As their task force grows, they plan to encourage new members to also become a Champion. They already offer a support group for the community and added a Dementia Navigator as a free service to help families with support and resources.
The Task Force has plans to provide dementia education through Dementia Friends talks for law enforcement, emergency responders, and healthcare in the community. They plan to have Dementia Friendly community decals to help spread awareness of the initiative and recognize businesses and organizations which are supporting Dementia Friendly Sterling. They have plans to work with faith-based organizations and restaurants to discuss how they can best support those with dementia. There are plans to begin a Memory Café in March of this year. To support the Hispanic population of their community, they plan to offer dementia specific materials in Spanish.
The CGH Health Foundation, along with their Dementia Navigator will serve as the Champion Organization for the Dementia Friendly efforts in Sterling. They already have several years of experience in supporting those with dementia and have plans in place to evaluate their efforts.
Dementia Friendly Sterling Contact
Beth Sterk
Dementia Navigator- CGH Health Foundation
CGH HEALTH FOUNDATION
2600 North Locust
Sterling, IL 61081
815.625.4790 Ext. 3977