Dementia Friendly Community: West Deerfield Township Recognized

DEERFIELD, IL — The West Deerfield Township recently joined a small number of communities across Illinois and the United States recognized as being a "Dementia Friendly Community." The distinction by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging has only recognized 18 such communities in Illinois and 300 in the entire country, according to a news release.

The goal of a dementia-friendly community is to create a better quality of life for people living with dementia and their families by decreasing stigma, increasing opportunities for meaningful social interaction, and offering support in addressing the changing needs of people living with dementia.

“Our vision is to reduce isolation and decrease the stigma surrounding dementia by creating a culture where those diagnosed with the disease, their families and care partners feel welcomed and included in our community," Township Supervisor Alyson Feiger said in the news release.

Although West Deerfield Township leads this initiative, organizers said it "is truly a community effort." A committee of member organizations includes Deerfield’s Village government, Police and Fire Departments, the Patty Turner Senior Center, Faith in Action Volunteers, the Deerfield Public Library, the Deerfield/Bannockburn/Riverwoods Chamber of Commerce, and the Council for Jewish Elderly. Since the Township’s borders include parts of other communities, the Lake Forest–Lake Bluff Senior Citizen’s Foundation is also an important contributor. The committee plans to expand its membership to include people living with dementia, representatives from their families and their caregivers., according to the news release.

Members of the West Deerfield Township Dementia Friendly Initiative encourage residents to participate in community-wide education, starting with becoming a “Dementia Friend” by watching a short video at dementiafriendsusa.org. Additional committee initiatives include training first responders to help those with dementia in an emergency situation, training businesses to serve customers with memory issues, and a monthly Memory Café where people with dementia and their care partners can socialize and enjoy life. In addition, a Speaker Series on dementia is being planned.

Information regarding upcoming programming will soon appear on the Township’s website, Westdeerfieldtownship.org. For more information on the Dementia Friendly West Deerfield Township Initiative or other senior support services offered locally, contact Alyson Feiger, Township Supervisor, at AlysonFeiger@westdeerfield.org or phone 847-945-0614. For information on Dementia Friendly America, go to dementiafriendsusa.org.