DFCI – Walworth County working to improve dementia awareness
Trying to assist someone with dementia can be daunting, so a new initiative, “Shop in Their Shoes” is being proposed for Walworth County to help businesses, government agencies, faith communities and groups get the “feel” of dementia.
According to the National Association for Caregivers and AARP, unpaid caregivers, 61% who are still working, make up the 21% who are assisting adults requiring health or functional needs. This is up 18% in just the last five years.
The “Shop in Their Shoes” program is designed to bring greater dementia awareness while enabling businesses and organization to provide more personalized care and service for customers, employees and members.
According to the National Association for Caregivers and AARP in 2020 24% of caregivers care for more than one person. They also state 26% have difficulty coordinating care and 23% say caregiving has made their own health worse. 45% have had at least one financial impact.
“The DFCI is working to ensure your workforce knows how to help people affected with dementia and is leading the effort to help others do so as well,” Eric Russow said in a press release.
Walworth County is continuing its four-year effort working on having a dementia-friendly workforce, with ongoing staff training. The DFCI is developing new programs to engage intergenerational interaction, which has been proven to be beneficial for all participants.
One of the new programs DFCI is working on includes “Cycling Without Age,” which will provide specially built bicycles that will provide opportunities for individuals through-out the county to offer recreational mobility to seniors, in the form of volunteer-piloted trishaw rides.
“Hearing from others who have these programs through-out the United States nothing beats witnessing the joy of the elderly, pilots and personnel interact on and around the trishaw and seeing the smiles of passengers coming back from their first ride with wind in their hair, rosy cheeks and full of stories. We are beginning fund raising efforts to purchase several of these bikes at a cost of about $10,000 each,” Russow said.
Another program in its infancy is to engage with the Elkhorn Area School District in both providing educational programs for students, teachers, and staff, but also encouraging interaction between students and seniors.
For additional information, email dfcwalworth@gmail.com or call 262-320-7325.
