Index of Minnesota Action CommunitiesOctober 2014
Becker
This action community’s grass-roots effort to make their community dementia friendly brought together several key community leaders and interested parties. Becker has a young demographic and the action team reflects that – the age range is 40 to 50. Several of the team members are service providers by profession, but much of the passion comes from personal experiences and a desire to help their community.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact:Tami Kolbinger, Great River Faith in Action
Email:
Bemidji
Making dementia readiness a multicultural process and reaching out to underserved populations are important goals for this action community’s work. The Bemidji area is home to a Native American population, providing an opportunity to address relational challenges and ensure that backgrounds are respected and honored in this community-wide effort. Best practices from the nearby Walker action community are also a plus.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact: Carol Priest, Northwoods Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Program
Email:
Brainerd/Baxter
In the past, memory awareness advocacy work by this action community included dementia-related education programs to local community groups. Using the ACT toolkit has been a means to having face-to-face interaction with key community leaders and understanding community needs and gaps for effective dementia awareness. Social media is playing a role in reaching the community, including a website, blog, Facebook page, and Twitter handle.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 3
Action Community contact: Amanda Mithun, Lakes Area Memory Awareness Advocates (LAMAA)
Email:
Cambridge
Neighbor helping neighbor has been the heart theme of this action community’s work.Survey results of community sectors led to action priorities that include making caregivers aware of the wealth of resources available to them, training local government members – particularly first responders – on how to identify and assist a person who has dementia, and educating the health care community on early detection, assessment, and treatment of Alzheimer’s.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 4
Action Community contact: Julie Tooker, GracePointe Crossing
Email:
Cloquet
This action community’s work sprang from an existing Aging Well in Cloquet initiative. Overarching goals of their Alzheimer’s-related work include: 1) improve referrals between providers to link people to services; 2) identify at-risk individuals and reach them before a crisis occurs; and 3) educate the public and providers on how to access services. Dementia risk factors identified include a diagnosis, living alone, and caring for someone with the disease.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 1
Action Community contact: Jill Hatfield, Volunteer Services of Carlton County, Inc.
Email:
CLUES
The CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio) Aging Well Services program serves families who are often challenged by navigating health care systems and who may be experiencing isolation in caring for loved ones with dementia. This action community's goal is to help Latino immigrants and first and second generation Latinos become aware of dementia and Alzheimer’s and its impact on health and wellness.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 1
Action Community contact: Adriana Shelton, CLUES
Email:
Detroit Lakes
This action community is well positioned and experienced in providing multifaceted services to older adults and in making life better for people. Ongoing recruitment of a diverse and productive team is a key goal, as is engaging the business community in the work. An outcome they are seeking for their community is “how well we can maintain everyone experiencing meaningful life.”
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact: Sandy Lia
Email:
Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller
NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center spearheads this North Minneapolis action community named after the African-American psychiatrist who worked with Dr. Alzheimer to identify the disease. With the realization that African-Americans are twice as likely as whites to get Alzheimer’s, this community is focused on building awareness and exploring pathways to reduce the economic, social, and spiritual impact of Alzheimer’s on African-Americans.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 1
Action Community contact: Vanne Owens Hayes
Email:
Downtown Rochester
This action community is committed to having the needs of those living with dementia at the forefront of downtown Rochester’s thinking and planning. The city is striving to become the world’s most compassionate, healthy city where all persons feel welcome and safe in their vibrant, multifaceted downtown. Businesses and the service industry are welcoming the opportunity to learn about serving people with dementia.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 1
Action Community contact: Angela Lunde, Mayo Clinic
Email:
East Iron Range
Incredible community support for ACTing on Alzheimer’s moved several East Iron Range cities to come together as an action community, aided by insights from the nearby International Falls action community. Emergency responders in the region witness the helplessness, frustration, and safety concerns of families and neighbors of those living with dementia, which only furthers this community’s eagerness to help.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact: Mary Hess
Email:
Edina
Because nearly one in every four persons in Edina is age 60 or older, this action community knows that their community needs to be better prepared to fully support everyone touched by Alzheimer’s and dementia. They are taking an intergenerational approach to the work, including school district staff and students and youth in faith communities, and have reached outside the care services sector to involve the local chamber of commerce.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact: Valerie Burke, Edina Community Education
Email:
Forest Lake
In this action community's surveying process, lack of education in the community about Alzheimer’s was something they kept running into as well as many people who didn't want to talk about the disease. One reality was that “our emergency response service providers need more knowledge about dementia to handle sensitive situations.” As the team's work moves forward, they want it to "grow legs because the issues of Alzheimer's are continually changing."
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 3
Action Community contact: Jules Benson
Email:
Greater International Falls
Raising awareness was front and center as this action community accomplished the Toolkit’s surveying process. Past successful collaboration among providers will be an important building block as the community continues to bring to the table sectors that are not fully aware of Alzheimer’s and its impacts, as well as the resources available.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 3
Action Community contact: Myrna Meadows
Email:
Harmony
This action community has a small team, but a big agenda toward creating a dementia-friendly community. When one team member imagines possibilities, she sees “a respite center where persons with dementia go while their caregivers are at work, a training program for befriender volunteers to support persons with memory loss, and a resource center that connects service-minded youth with older adults and provides stress-relief support for caregivers.”
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact: Lori Slindee
Email:
Latino Collaborative at Centro
Recognizing that many in the Latino community find it difficult to discuss an Alzheimer's diagnosis and that few dementia resources exist (even fewer in Spanish) for Latino seniors and their families, this action community is committed to mobilizing and educating the Latino community to create an informed, safe, and respectful community.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 1
Action Community contact: Roxana Linares, Centro Cultural Chicano
Email:
Mankato and North Mankato
Various dementia-related efforts underway in this combined action community fostered a desire tocoordinate and structure dementia strategies under the ACT on Alzheimer’s umbrella. The team has recruited members with a priority toward representing diverse and underserved populations and is focused on mobilizing existing dementia care assets in the community, rather than focusing on gaps in dementia care.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact: Danielle Walchuk, Region Nine Development Commission
Email:
Marshall
A monthly memory support group was part of this action community as early as 1980. Today the support group meets weekly. Becoming a dementia-friendly community is a top priority, and part of the strategy involves participation by local business members and the library. Including students from the local college to bring new perspectives to the work is in the plan as well.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact: Jamie Lanners, Boulder Creek Assisted Living
Email:
Minnesota Council of Churches
This faith action community involves 10 churches that are committed to creating a dementia-friendly environment for their congregations. Using an education model called Congregations of Care, congregations are challenged to be innovative in supporting members who have an advanced illness (and their caregivers) and includes end-of-life and grief issues. ACT’s Dementia Capable Communities Toolkit is a natural extension of their congregational work.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact:Helen Jackson Lockett-El
Email:
Northfield
There’s a passion for bringing dementia awareness and sensitivity to this action community so people with the disease can have a life of dignity and relative independence. A series of public discussions about Alzheimer’s hosted by the senior center and local care center aims to instill a sense of understanding − both in the disease itself and where to go to for help. Working to de-stigmatize Alzheimer’s is also an important goal of this action team.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 3
Action Community contact: Pat Vincent, Three Links
Email:
Paynesville
Still in the early stages of the Toolkit work, this action community is finding that more and more people are asking, “what can I do to help?” as they conduct surveys throughout the community. Caregivers on the team provide personal support to one another – an example of what can happen in a dementia-friendly community. An upcoming community event will include planning by the local healthcare facility’s nutritionist and dietitian to create an Alzheimer’s-friendly menu.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 3
Action Community contact: Linda Musel, Paynesville Area Center
Email:
Re-Membering Matters at Mille Lacs
The geographic perimeter of this action community encompasses several communities within the Onamia and Isle School Districts, including two districts of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Re-Membering Matters refers to a belief that “re-membering actually means reconnecting or rejoining; that is, restoring being a member and a sense of belonging.” The community impact from dementia is bringing people together.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 1
Action Community contact: Susan Lyback, Mille Lacs Health System
Email:
Redwood Falls
This ACT on Alzheimer’s action community is just underway, but the impacts of the disease hit close to home for many area professionals who are working with people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as family caregivers. After conducting community surveys this fall, the hope is that the results will lead to creating solutions to fill the support gaps in the community.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 1
Action Community contact: Claire Meyers,A.C.E of Southwest Minnesota
Email:
Roseville
The 2010 Census revealed that 20 percent of Roseville’s population is age 65 and older, sparking action by the Roseville Alzheimer’s and Dementia Community Action Team to understand and meet the needs of residents with dementia and their caregivers and friends. The team has presented to key community sectors, initiated Alzheimer’s Foundation memory screening events, developed and conducted a caregiver assessment, and supported Roseville memory cafés.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 3
Action Community contact: Kitty Gogins, Lyngblomsten
Email:
St. Louis Park
From being a pilot community that tested the ACT Toolkit to now implementing phase 4 action steps, this action community hopes to partner with physicians to make Alzheimer's education and resources available to patients. One team group has created a reading list about Alzheimer’s and will donate books to libraries in faith communities, community centers, neighborhood book stands, and schools. They are also developing a book club kit that includes a discussion guide.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 4
Action Community contact: Jonathan Lips, Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Minnesota
Email:
St. Paul African-American Faith Community
This faith community evolved naturally following the St. Paul Neighborhoods ACT (SPN ACT) community surveying process, whichshowed a gap in representing the African-American community. The faith community’s surveys within area churches and community networks will supplement the findings of SPN ACT, allowing both communities to set priorities in fostering dementia-friendly work in St. Paul relevant to African-Americans.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 1-2
Action Community contact: Vanne Owens Hayes
Email:
St. Paul Neighborhoods ACT (SPN ACT)
As the first action community to use the ACT Toolkit, this community is flourishing with 30-40 team members. Their findings from 125 surveys across 14 community sectors set the stage for action priorities, including a Dementia Friends program. Dementia Friends are trained by Dementia Champions to recognize the signs of dementia and respond appropriately. Dementia Friends“live” their training out in the community, such as helping someone with dementia or training network allies.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 4
Action Community contact: Meghan Constantini
Email:
St. Paul North East Neighborhoods
This geographically focused action community on the east side of St. Paul has a large 65 and older population, including a contingent of people 80 and older on fixed, low incomes who reside in single-family dwellings. Because the community is also home to a large immigrant population, the action team is working to develop a strong, culturally diverse network of leaders and influencers.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact: Rosemary Wallace, NE Neighborhoods LAHBNP
Email:
Sauk Rapids
This action community, known for its pride in community involvement, has multiple sectors ACTing on Alzheimer’s and the expertise of two gerontology professionals and a college intern with a minor in gerontology. The St. Cloud State University gerontology program is providing educational support and research assistance from faculty and students (e.g., interns, service-learners, volunteers, research partners, information consultants, and community educators).
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact: April Myers, Good Shepherd Community
Email:
Stillwater Area
As community groups and organizations joined forces to advance the well-being of a growing aging community in the Stillwater area, this action community engaged the broader community in small group discussions about: How do you see this [work] fitting into our community? and Have you seen evidence of dementia friendliness? and How could your organization/sector benefit from creating a more dementia-friendly community?
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 2
Action Community contact: Beth Wiggins, Family Means
Email:
Twin Cities Jewish Community
This action community organized service agencies, senior housing, and clergy to address the impact of Alzheimer’s on the Jewish community. They strive to provide Alzheimer’s education and awareness that is grounded in Jewish Text, requiring strong participation by community rabbis in learning and sharing the stories of Alzheimer’s within their community. A four-pronged community action plan is creating new education and support initiatives.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 4
Action Community contact: Annette Sandler, Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Minnesota
Email:
Walker
This action community is bringing to life the action plan developed after their community surveying process. Identifying a crisis line and making the public aware of it, having resources pulled together in one place locally, and working with businesses to help educate and train them on adopting dementia-friendly practices are action initiatives currently underway.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 4
Action Community contact: Melanie Deegan, May Creek Senior Living Campus
Email:
Willmar
As a pilot ACT on Alzheimer’s community that helped develop the Toolkit with rural use in mind, this action community has set its sights on having more support groups for caregivers of people with dementia and on developing a cadre of trained community educators to help spread awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia.Reaching out to people and connecting them with the services they need, especially soon after a diagnosis is made, remains a big goal.
Community Toolkit progress: Phase 3
Action Community contact: Kate Selseth, Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging
Email:
To learn more about Minnesota’s dementia-friendly action communities, visit: email .
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© 2014
10/17/14