Over the next three years and beyond, Sheridan will create innovative opportunities in community settings and organizations for those living with dementia and their care partners and then share it with communities across Wyoming. Here are the steps being taken to achieve these goals:
* Assess the Sheridan County community: What is working well? What do we need to build an inclusive, welcoming dementia friendly community?
* Educate those in every part of the community to build an understanding of what dementia is, how it affects people and how we can make a difference. In 2017 the focus will be on the business and faith communities.
* Prepare health care providers to screen and support those living with dementia and their care partners, including those with Intellectual Development Disabilities
* Continuing to enhance support of those living with dementia and their care partners through education, care planning, and connections to services and programs throughout the community.
* Provide physical and emotional skill set training to community and family caregivers, illuminating interaction and communication between those living with dementia and their care partners. This translates into better care and meaningful living for both care partners and their loved ones.
* Connecting those living alone with dementia to positive support through a “gatekeeper” training program. Postal workers, pastors, resident managers and others who connect regularly with elders will learn how to identify those that may need support.
* Volunteers provide social contact and community engagement for those living with dementia.
* Create inclusive spaces and opportunities that are inviting and supportive—improving the quality of life for those living with dementia in every part of the community.
* Strengthen the health care continuum for those living with dementia addressing issues such as the shortage of CNAs, education about advance care directives and risk reduction. Partnerships
Through the following partnerships, these successful programs will demonstrate a model of support and care that can be adapted for rural communities through Wyoming.
* AARP Wyoming
* Alzheimer’s Association-Wyoming
* Big Horn Mountain Medicine
* Center for a Vital Community
* Dementia Friendly America/Dementia Friends USA
* Easter Seals Wyoming
* First Christian Church
* Rehabilitative Enterprises of North Eastern Wyoming (RENEW)
* Sheridan Memorial Hospital
* Sheridan College Nursing Program
* Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce
* Sheridan County Public Health
* Sheridan VA Health Care System
* University of Wyoming Center on Aging
* Wyoming Department of Health, Aging Division
* Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND)
Staff:
Kay Wallick, Program Director, 307-461-7134
Heather Comstock, Dementia Care Educator, 307-752-9111
Amanda Lawson, Program Assistant, 307-752-3735
