Dementia Friendly Ventura
Creating a Welcoming & Safe Ventura County
Have you seen someone who seemed confused when you are out running errands? Tasks that many of us take for granted, from finding groceries in the store, buying gas, and making a deposit at the bank can be challenging for someone with dementia. Many people with dementia are not diagnosed or deny that they have a problem.
To help the nation address the impact of the alarming nationwide increase of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related diseases, Dementia Friendly America® was created in 2015 through the White House Conference on Aging. It is a national collaboration of federal agencies and partners including AARP and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Alzheimer's & Dementia Quick Facts
- 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another dementia.
- 1 in 9 people age 65 and older has Alzheimer's disease.
- More lives are claimed by Alzheimer's in California than in New York, Ohio, Illinois, and Georgia combined.
- Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in California.
- Alzheimer's is the only disease among the top 10 causes of death in the US that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.
Dementia Friendly Communities
Dementia Friendly America® helps organizations to create a dementia friendly environment tailored to the needs and resources of our local community. Online tools, educational materials, templates and guides are provided to plan strategies, conduct needs assessments, identify issues, and engage the community. The result is to educate the public and to train persons in service sectors, such as cashiers, bus drivers, receptionists, etc. to recognize the signs of dementia and provide their service in a patient and compassionate manner.
Learn more how Dementia Friendly Communities work in this video. The four step process brings communities together and provides a safer environment for the community.
What is a Dementia Friendly Community?
- A place where people with dementia are valued, respected and welcomed.
- Where people with dementia can live as independently as possible.
- Where they can engage in activities that many of us take for granted.
- Where changes in the person will be noticed, understood and accepted with resources available for assistance if needed.
Who Is It For?
- Those With Dementia
- Service Based Organizations
- Health Care Providers & Caregivers
- First Responders
- General Public & Public Officials
“The agency is thrilled to be among the 80 communities certified nationwide to be a Dementia Friendly America® partner. There is no treatment, no cure; it is 100 percent fatal. It is the fifth leading cause of death in California.”
Victoria Jump, Director of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging.
The Dementia Friendly Ventura County Team Leader, Christine Voth, who is also VCAAA’s Manager of Business Strategy and Strategic Planning, has assembled a Dementia Friendly Ventura County leadership team. It includes persons from the Alzheimer’s Association, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Senior Concerns, Camarillo Health Care District, Health Care Agency, Elder Care Alliance, Alma Via, Right at Home, Coast Caregiver Resource Center, Oxnard Family Circle, persons with dementia, their caregivers and more.
To learn more about how to becoming involved about creating a Dementia Friendly Ventura contact Phil Chandler, Owner of Right at Home Ventura County.