Dementia-Friendly @ Work Training A Success

MANKATO - Mankato/North Mankato ACT on Alzheimer’s volunteers, Christine Nessler (Freedom Home Care) and Elaine Spain (Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging), presented the Dementia Friendly @ Work Training to representatives from six local businesses at Friesen’s Bakery in Mankato on Wednesday, June 29.

This training helps local organizations heighten their awareness of dementia and become equipped to respond warmly and effectively when serving people living with dementia and their families.

Representatives from Goodwin Consulting, Friesen’s Bakery, MRCI, The Wine Cafe, Mom & Pop’s and the Coffee Hag were educated on the following:

• Learn what dementia is and some facts about Alzheimer’s
• Recognize the signs of dementia
• Learn tips for communicating and interacting with a person who has dementia
• Learn tips for creating a dementia-friendly physical space
• Get familiar with resources in your community

Approximately 91,000 Minnesotans age 65+ are living with Alzheimer’s. The annual number of Alzheimer’s cases and other dementias is projected to triple by 2050. These numbers will touch us all because they represent family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, colleagues, clients and customers.

For more information or to schedule your own Dementia Friendly @ Work presentation, visit http://www.rndc.org/alzedu.