Bergen County will launch initiative to create dementia-friendly communities

Kristie Cattafi, NorthJersey.com
Updated ·3 min read

Bergen County will launch an initiative this month in a partnership that will help create dementia-friendly communities.

The Dementia Friendly Initiative is a project of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, the Board of County Commissioners and the county’s Division of Senior Services, under the Department of Human Services and in partnership with the Act Now Foundation Dementia Resource Center.

Its goal is to increase awareness and understanding of the disease while also working with communities to ensure they are inclusive to those living with dementia.

Dementia is an overall term that covers a wide range of medical conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Dementia disorders are caused by abnormal brain changes that trigger a decline in cognitive abilities.

"It is critical for those living with this debilitating disease to be cared for with the utmost dignity and equally essential for caregivers to have the support and resources necessary to do this often difficult job,” Tedesco said. "Thanks to a new partnership between our Division of Senior Services and the Act Now Foundation, the county’s new Dementia Friendly Initiative aims to do just that by supporting caregivers and disseminating information about early detection and prevention."

In New Jersey, 190,000 people 65 years and older are living with Alzheimer's disease and almost 9% of people 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline, according to data collected by the Alzheimer's Association.

About 20,000 seniors are recorded living in Bergen County with some form of dementia.

In response to the increasing challenges of this growing population, the Bergen County Division of Senior Services is partnering with the Act Now Foundation Dementia Resource Center to inform and educate residents, businesses and community groups.

To mark the start of the initiative, the county will host an official Dementia Friendly Initiative kickoff event on April 27 at Two Bergen County Plaza from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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“Dementia is a disease that requires immense support, not only for the patients, but also for caregivers as well,” Bergen County Commissioner Chair Pro Tempore Joan Voss said. “By launching this initiative, the county is committed to providing support and taking an important step in our efforts to eliminate the stigma around the disease and continue to help our residents affected by dementia.”

In New Jersey, the Alzheimer's Association estimates there are over 272,000 family caregivers for the disease and 493 million hours of unpaid care provided by Alzheimer's caregivers.

Action team

Part of the initiative includes forming an “Action Team” made up of professionals from a variety of sectors who will work together toward the common goal of creating a community.

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All members of the community will work to create dementia-friendly spaces and have a better understanding of the challenges of those living with dementia and their caregivers.

Caregivers and those living with dementia will have improved access to and engagement with the community.

Goals of the program

Key goals among dementia-friendly communities include:

  • Increase awareness and understanding of dementia and of people living with it.

  • Increase awareness and understanding of brain health and risk reduction.

  • Collaborate with public, private nonprofit and health care sectors to better serve people living with dementia and their care partners.

  • Address the changing needs of people with dementia and their care partners.

  • Create social and cultural environments that are inclusive to those living with dementia.

  • Improve the physical environment in public places and systems such as parks and transportation so they are dementia-friendly.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bergen County to launch initiative for dementia-friendly communities