CLINTON — Dementia is a word none of us wants to hear — especially from our doctor. But it is a condition affecting millions of people around the world. And because it is a condition that affects so many of us and our loved ones, it is  something that needs to be dealt with in a kind and friendly manner, and not “out of sight, out of mind.”

That is the goal of Dementia Friendly America and its quest to help local  communities become Dementia Friendly Communities. Dementia Friendly  Saline is one such entity, with its mission “to raise awareness, provide  education to the community, and to create fun, judgment-free events for those affected by dementia, both directly and indirectly.” 

The Rotary Club of Clinton hosted a presentation by Jim Mangi of Dementia Friendly Saline on April 10 at the Clinton United Church of  Christ. Those attending learned about dementia-related conditions and behaviors, and how to help those living with dementia feel safer and better  connected to their home community.

Mangi outlined the basic aspects of memory loss, usually caused by physical  changes in the brain, and not considered normal aging. Dementia leads to a  disconnect between the brain and the senses, which can cause a person to  often repeat themselves and have trouble completing familiar tasks, such as  paying for an item in a store, making a food choice in a restaurant or  navigating their way around their home. They can often lash out in  frustration. 

Dementia Friendly Communities want to help the public “walk toward people with dementia instead of walking away,” Mangi said. To accomplish this, training sessions are offered to help employees of  businesses, government offices, banks, professional and healthcare services, realtors, libraries and church congregations learn how to better interact and serve those with memory loss. The goal is to create a more welcoming environment to make life less difficult and more dignified for  those living with dementia-related conditions.

Examples of welcoming environments include restaurants offering quieter spaces for diners and servers trained in how to help with food choices, or retail stores offering more help with transactions and finding items, rather than just saying, “you can find that in Aisle 20.”  

A few other examples: 

• Clearer and larger signs in businesses, libraries and offices. 
• Parks with more maps and benches; organizing walking groups for those  with dementia and their care partners. 
• Churches providing name tags, shorter services and more open spaces, as  well as being patient with unusual behaviors.  

Dementia Friendly Saline was officially certified after completing the  process offered through Dementia Friendly America (dfamerica.org).  However, Mangi said, the overall process does take several months. A  toolkit, filled with all types of helpful information, is available on the DFA website. Mangi emphasized that if the certification process seems too  overwhelming, not to worry, that just making small changes can be very  beneficial. 

Dementia Friendly Saline offers free training sessions, usually 45 minutes  to one hour, often as “Lunch and Learn” events. 

“What you do is up to you, but we are happy to help,” Mangi said.

Dementia Friendly Saline to host ‘Best Life’ Spring Festival

SALINE — An old-fashioned carnival-themed spring festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 11, sponsored by Dementia Friendly Saline along with University Living, Ageways, and others. The festival will take place at Liberty School, 7265 N. Ann Arbor St., Saline.

The fun will include: 

• Live music (including Fiddle Pie, Mary and the HuzBand, Cat Canyon, and more), juggling, and food (including Hannah’s Shaved Ice).
• An arts and crafts sale.
• Games, crafts, a photo booth, cakewalk, therapy dogs, and interactive activities.

Special accommodations for people with dementia and their caregivers and families include:

• Curbside “Reverse Valet” service in which volunteers will wait with someone while their companion parks the car.
• Dementia-friendly signage.
• A designated quiet space on-site for respite.
• Vendors of special interest to people living with dementia.
• Trained staff and “Purple Angels” volunteers on hand to provide warm, understanding care and assistance along the way.
• A panel discussion for caregivers, with a concurrent activity for people with dementia.

The event is free and open to the public. 

“We work to provide events where persons with dementia and their caregivers and families will feel ‘normal,’” said Kelsey Keyes, DFS program coordinator. “This is a normal social event, with some extra perks to make life easier and less challenging.”

For more information, go to dfsaline.org.