The goal of the Dementia Friendly Initiative of Chinatown is to create a welcoming and inclusive community for people living with dementia and their caregivers. This initiative is made up of individuals who have personal experiences or professional experiences with people living with dementia and their caregivers. The initiative partners with various sectors, including non-profit social services, hospitals, home care, legal aid services, senior buildings, library, museums, universities, local government representatives, and local business associations, to achieve a broader social impact. CASL’s Alzheimer’s Program is responsible for coordinating the Dementia Friendly Initiative of Chinatown. The initiative’s current mission is to raise awareness about ADRD, promote education resources related to ADRD in the community, improve access to resources and early identification for people living alone, enhance the dementia-capable services for professional providers, and advocate for culturally and linguistically appropriate and trauma-informed programs for caregivers.
Dementia Friendly Activities
The Chinatown Dementia Friendly Action Team represents a broad range of community members. The team is comprised of 14 people representing a variety of sectors, including service organizations, the Alzheimer’s Association, libraries, and a variety of healthcare organizations. The Chinese American Service League (CASL) will be the lead organization for the Dementia Friendly efforts and began a strong Alzheimer’s support program in 2019. They already partner with numerous organizations throughout Chinatown and will use this structure to further develop their goals and actions.
The Chinatown Dementia Friendly efforts will include increased awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders, early detection, support for those living alone with dementia, sector training, and help develop culturally adapted caregiver resources and support. Because of the strong presence of CASL in the community and their focus on Alzheimer’s support, they have already connected with many groups and organizations, as represented in their numerous letters of support.
Dementia Friendly Contacts
Winnie Lam: winnie_lam@caslservice.org
Chinese American Service League
Jinxiao Tan: jinxiao_tan@caslservice.org
Chinese American Service League