By Carleen Nelson-Nesvig
Dementia Friendly Saline aims to make living in the community less difficult and more dignified for persons with dementia. And in keeping with DFS’s mission to raise awareness, provide education to the community, and to create fun, judgement-free events for those affected by dementia, along with offering their caregivers a respite, both directly and indirectly is announcing an old-fashioned carnival-themed Best of Life Spring Festival.
According to DFS Founder Jim Mangi, “No one has ever before done a dementia friendly festival, and the Dementia Friendly team, led by Chelsea Harvey and Kelsey Keyes, has been working closely for months with our good friends at Ann Arbor’s University Living to create an engaging, fun, informative, celebratory event that our friends and neighbors. Especially those on the dementia journey, can enjoy. People with dementia deserve to have fun, not have people make fun of them.”
When and where: from 10 to 4:00pm On May 11th, at Liberty School in Saline.
Just in time for Mother’s Day this event is free and open to the public. Mom’s whole family can attend and enjoy live music (including Fiddle Pie, Mary and the HuzBand, Cat Canyon, and more). There will be juggling, delicious food and treats such as Hannah’s Shaved Ice, arts and crafts (consider for Mother’s Day), games, photo booth, cake walk, therapy dogs, and interactive activities.
As always special accommodations for persons with dementia and their caregivers and families will be provided. Curbside “reverse valet” service, Dementia friendly signage, designated quiet space on-site for respite, and vendors of special interest to people living with dementia is available with trained staff and “Purple Angels” volunteers on hand to provide warm, understanding, care and assistance along the way.
A panel discussion for caregivers, with a concurrent activity for persons with dementia is also planned.
