Initiatives
Each sector of a community has a unique role to play in contributing toward dementia-friendliness, whether it is a hospital or health care setting, a business or retail location, community-based services, faith communities, local government, or residential care.
The members of Dementia-Friendly Lehigh Valley are hard at work pursuing our goal of raising awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.
Some accomplishments to date:
- development of a strategic plan for 2021, 2022, and 2023
- brochure development
- outreach to Community Conversations participants
- grant funding for website creation
- presence at Alzheimer’s Association Conference
- approved as a member of Dementia Friendly America
- donations from multiple organizations and community members
- Physician Training Course developed at St. Luke’s University Health Network
- monthly e-newsletter with resources, developed and sent monthly
- meeting with the Chamber of Commerce’s Business and Non-Profit board
Workgroups
The following workgroups are involved with different initiatives and aspects of DFLV. Each group has a work plan and team lead(s). If you would like to learn more about any particular workgroup, please contact us today.
Professional Education
Promotes greater awareness of and access to dementia detection and diagnosis via primary care and health systems in the Lehigh Valley, encourages patients and caregivers to connect to community service programs, and increases use of existing information and tools for detection, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
Awareness/Marketing
Provides oversight to DFLV to ensure that strategic initiatives and communication efforts align with one another to maximize regional awareness of the movement.
Government Relations
Follows legislative committee assignments, tracks legislation, and reviews incoming grant notices. Developing a plan to help consumers with dementia reach out to local legislators.
Community Education
Educates people within the community about how to better interact with and be a “friend” to someone with dementia. Educates others about dementia, increasing understanding with the hope that they can be helpful in their interactions with people who live with the disease.
Membership
Provides new member cultivation, outreach, and onboarding for the steering committee and workgroups. Tracks membership accountabilities and terms.