Nov. 8, 2024 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library is a certified “Dementia Friendly Organization” by Dementia Friendly Iowa after staff underwent training to be “Dementia Friends.”
Dementia Friendly Iowa seeks to make the state more dementia friendly through two initiatives – Dementia Friends and Dementia Friendly Communities – as part of the greater Dementia Friendly America movement. Supported by the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and the Iowa Geriatric Education Center, the initiative is staffed locally by Dementia Friendly Linn County.
Dementia Friendly Iowa promotes change and education in communities to create a more welcoming, safe, and respectful space for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, at least 62,000 people are living with dementia in Iowa, and this number is expected to continue to increase as the population ages.
“Everyone is welcome at the library, and becoming Dementia Friendly Certified is one way we can make sure our library is accessible to all,” Cedar Rapids Public Library Director Dara Schmidt said. “We also want to make sure our staff have the tools and training they need to best serve all members of our community.”
As part of the library’s dedication to this topic, the library will host a livestream of the DeWolf Innovation Center’s Third Annual Forum on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 9:30 am-3:30 pm at the Downtown Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids.
The forum, “Life Changing Designs: Forging a New Future for Aging & Dementia,” is being presented by the Chris & Suzy DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia of Mercy. The forum is sponsored by Angie and Roger Baker. The keynote speaker is sponsored by Barb Young.
The forum will bring together leading experts, healthcare professionals, and compassionate caregivers to share the latest research, strategies, and innovations in aging and dementia-related care.
This event will be held live at the DeWolf Innovation Center’s Cambridge Auditorium, 9000 C Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, but since there is limited seating available, it will also be live-streamed in Beems Auditorium at the Downtown Library. Attendance at Cambridge Auditorium is on first-RSVP, first-served basis, but the live-stream is free and open to all. RSVPs may be made at mercycare.org/events/innovation-center-forum.
Line Up of Speakers:
- Dominic Campbell – Dublin, Ireland – engaging rural communities
- Mary Ann Grobstich – Cedar Rapids, Iowa – facilitating a panel of community members and Caregivers Center volunteers describing outreach in Jones County
- Kristen Kuch – Cedar Rapids, Iowa – facilitating mindful movement
- Terri & John Hale – Ankeny, Iowa – reporting the status of long-term care in Iowa
- Rajeev Ramchand – Arlington, Virginia – summarizing recommendations from the September 2024 “Military & Veteran Caregivers” report focused on veterans who are caregivers
--Lunch Break 11:45 am-12:15 pm--
- Dr. Jeremy Nobel – Brookline, Massachusetts – providing the keynote presentation about the impact of loneliness and how to reduce it as written in his book "Project UnLonely – Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection"
- Chris Doucette – Brookline, Massachusetts – offering an experiential opportunity to get curious, “make something,” and have a conversation to demonstrate how to reduce loneliness (materials will be provided)
- Ellen Szabo – Gloucester, Massachusetts – talking about the role of writing for personal transformation that can enhance and promote emotional well-being and support self-care
- Paula Muller & Dave Duplay – Farmington, New Jersey – demonstrating CareLink360’s digital health companion
- Stephanie Humphries – Cedar Rapids, Iowa – facilitating a dementia awareness training leading to all participants becoming Dementia Friends
Light snacks will be provided at the library, as will materials for Chris Doucette's experiential opportunity. People are invited to come for the whole day or drop in and out as needed.