The Lake Geneva Fire Department was awarded the Purple Angel designation that signifies a dementia-friendly organization.
Members of the fire department and emergency medical technicians participated in the first responders training provided by Bonnie Beam-Stratz of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative-Walworth County. The award was presented by Eric and Bernadette Russow of the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative to Deputy Fire Chief Dan Derrick and members of the department on Nov. 6.
The Purple Angel is an international symbol recognized around the world to identify individuals, organizations and businesses trained to know how to work with those people who have dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as their care partners.
Dementia Friends is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act and talk about Alzheimer’s and dementia. Developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom, it is now spreading across the United States. By helping everyone in a community understand what dementia is and how it affects families, everyone can make a difference for people affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Our goal is to provide all first responders in the county with this important training as the population grows older. More than 2,000 people have Alzheimer’s or related dementia in Walworth County and more than 5 million nationwide. A 31 percent increase is expected by 2025 in Walworth County.
Dementia Friendly Community Initiative-Walworth County will continue to provide free training programs to the general public at programs planned for 2019. Free 30-minute training programs will be provided on an “as-requested” basis for businesses, agencies and churches.
More information about the trainings or how to help with the programs can be obtained by contacting Bernadette or Eric Russow at 262-320-7325.
It was amazing how many of the members of Lake Geneva’s fire and rescue depatment participated. Lake Geneva can really be proud of their services!