Chelsea Takes First Steps Toward Becoming a Dementia Friendly Town

Nearly seven million Americans are living with some form of dementia, including more than 200,000 people in Michigan. While up to 70% of those individuals remain in their own homes, they often face challenges performing everyday tasks in the community, from shopping and banking to navigating unfamiliar spaces.

The Rotary Club of Chelsea has launched an initiative to help make the city more welcoming and supportive for residents living with cognitive decline. The effort aims to designate Chelsea as the next Dementia Friendly Town in Michigan. Only four communities in the state currently have that status, and about 400 exist nationwide. Dementia Friendly Services (DFS), formerly Dementia Friendly Saline, is partnering with the Rotary on the project.

Community Leaders Begin the Work

Chelsea Rotary announced that 32 Chelsea stakeholders and Rotarians gathered November 10 at the Chelsea District Library for the group’s first organizational meeting. The library hosted a light breakfast, and DFS founder and director Jim Mangi outlined what becoming a Dementia Friendly Town entails and how local organizations can participate.

DFS offers free, one-hour workshops, either in person or virtually, to help local businesses and organizations understand dementia and learn practical ways to support those living with it. The training covers:

• What dementia is and how to recognize it
• Common challenges people with dementia experience in community settings
• Simple steps employees can take to make interactions easier and more respectful
• No-cost and low-cost recommendations tailored to each business or organization

Participating organizations receive a window cling identifying them as dementia friendly. DFS also has funding available to reimburse businesses for staff time spent attending the training.

As the organization notes, “living with dementia is hard. being dementia friendly isn’t.”

Next Steps for Chelsea

Planning is underway to move Chelsea forward in the designation process. Community members interested in joining the organizing group may contact Marcia Lane at [email protected].

More information about Dementia Friendly Services is available at www.dfsaline.org