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County’s new dementia navigator describes screening, in-home support and QR bracelet program
Summary
A state-funded dementia navigator described a program of brain‑health screenings, caregiver supports, library memory packs and QR‑code medical bracelets available to people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias in Hardeman County.
Sarah Skinner, the county’s newly assigned dementia navigator through the Harvey County Health Department, told the council she is one of five such state positions and the only one serving West Tennessee.
Skinner said the program works with primary care providers to add brain‑health screenings to routine checks so families have a baseline and can monitor change over time. “The earlier you detect it, the more you can do for it,” she said. “There’s medications. There is no cure, but there are medications and things that you can take to slow it down.”
Skinner described in‑home safety surveys, connections to respite care and a series of community programs she sponsors: memory cafés, senior sparks at the Bolivar Library and a library “backpack” of activities families can borrow. She also said the county procured QR‑code bracelets for clients; Skinner said the bracelets contain emergency contacts and medication notes but no addresses so that first responders who find a confused person can scan the code and call the listed contact.
She said the program has a state grant that runs through Sept. 2027 and the state asked navigators to make 25 contacts this year; Skinner said she started in February, began seeing patients in April, has received 28 referrals and is following 20 cases.
Why it matters: The navigator role is intended to increase early detection, provide family supports and reduce strain on emergency responders and caregivers. Council members asked that staff share contact information and help demonstrate program use to support future grant renewal.
Next steps: Skinner said a senior expo with legal and financial counseling and power‑of‑attorney and simple‑will services will be held Thursday at the Methodist Church and is open to the public.
