For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Businesses and organizations in the Wisconsin Rapids area have been invited to participate in a training to educate their volunteers, employees, managers and leadership team members on the basics of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The training is designed to increase awareness of those living with dementia in our communities and is offered on behalf of the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin in collaboration with the Central Wisconsin Dementia Network. During the training, participants learn about the difference between healthy aging and changes that occur when someone develops Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

In addition, the 10 early signs of Alzheimer’s disease are reviewed, along with tips to provide good customer service and ways to create positive interactions when assisting someone who may have memory loss or dementia.

Local businesses and organizations that have participated in the training include:

• Alan A. Panek Law Office, S.C.
• Daly Drug & Daly Drug, LTC
• Incourage
• Miracle Ear
• Luke’s Lutheran Church
• Walgreens

The dementia friendly training can be customized to meet the needs of the group participating in the training.  Thirty or 60 minute sessions are available.  Upon completion of the training, the business or organization receives a window cling to hang at their main entrance to identify their participation in the training, as well as a certificate of completion to display.  In addition, their name is added to a listing of local “dementia friendly” agencies and they receive ongoing support and educational materials to help keep dementia awareness relevant for employees.

“This training is part of our efforts to create dementia friendly communities in central Wisconsin,” said Erin Johnson, Caregiver Support Coordinator at the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin.  “As our population ages, we’ll see an increase in the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia living in our communities – running errands, attending church, grocery shopping, going for walks, and meeting with friends.  It’s important that community members are aware that people with memory loss are navigating our communities and how to provide help, if needed.”