Public Invited: Alexandria Becoming More Dementia-Friendly City
Nearly 60 percent of people with dementia live in their own communities, and one in seven live alone.
ALEXANDRIA, VA – On Tuesday, July 30, the Alexandria Commission on Aging and Goodwin House Alexandria will co-host a community event to highlight the Dementia Friendly Alexandria initiative, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Alexandria City Hall (301 King St. 1st fl. Sister Cities Conf. Rm.).
Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, members of City Council and other community partners will attend.
Dementia Friendly Alexandria aims to make Alexandria a dementia-friendly community by educating the community about dementia, how it affects people, and how everyday individuals can make a difference in the lives of people living with the disease and supporting their caregivers.
The initiative began in late February 2019, when an action team was assembled consisting of various organizations including Senior Services of Alexandria, Old Dominion Home Care, Department of Community and Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services, Goodwin House Alexandria, Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria Public Library, Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria Commission on Aging, At Home in Alexandria and Dementia Care Connections.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, across the U.S., an estimated 5.8 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, including approximately 5.6 million ages 65 and older. Nearly 60 percent of people with dementia live in their own communities, and one in seven live alone.
The Dementia Friendly America (DFA) movement began in September 2015, following the White House Conference on Aging, and is based on the state of Minnesota’s statewide initiative, ACT on Alzheimer’s.
DFA is a national network of communities, organizations and individuals seeking to ensure that communities across the U.S. are equipped to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. Communities around the country are taking action, with more than 200 cities in 40 states going through the process of becoming dementia friendly.
For more information, contact Debbie Ludington at 703.746.5694.
