Hoffman Estates launches dementia-friendly community programming and training
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Hoffman Estates’ Health and Human Services department announced a community-wide effort to become a dementia-friendly certified community and launched programs aimed at supporting residents with memory loss and their caregivers.
The village is using the Dementia Friendly America toolkit and working with community partners to “build a sustainable program to educate, support, and include those living with dementia,” Community Health Nurse Gina McCauley said.
The initiative will include a research-based brain-health class called WITS Workout, monthly nurse-led sessions held the third Thursday of each month at Village Hall at 10:00 a.m.; a “Learning About Your Aging Brain” seminar on Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m.; and an Older Adults Resource Fair at Village Hall on Thursday, April 24 from 10 a.m. until noon. The fair is described as a one-stop event for seniors and caregivers to connect with health-care providers, financial and legal advisors and other local services.
McCauley said the village also plans memory cafes — small, judgement-free social gatherings for people living with dementia and their caregivers — and training sessions for businesses so owners and employees can better support customers experiencing memory loss. “More seniors and their families are looking for guidance for someone to point them in the right direction with diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer’s,” McCauley said.
Village officials said the programs are an early phase of building certification and partnerships; funding sources and a formal certification timeline were not specified in the announcement. The Health and Human Services department will lead the effort and rely on public–private partnerships, the village said.
The village described the initiative as part of a broader effort to make Hoffman Estates “a place where everyone at every stage of life feels valued and supported.”
The rollout combines scheduled classes and public events with outreach to businesses and community organizations. Officials said additional programming and details on volunteer roles or service funding would be provided as the program develops.
The village is using the Dementia Friendly America toolkit and working with community partners to “build a sustainable program to educate, support, and include those living with dementia,” Community Health Nurse Gina McCauley said.
The initiative will include a research-based brain-health class called WITS Workout, monthly nurse-led sessions held the third Thursday of each month at Village Hall at 10:00 a.m.; a “Learning About Your Aging Brain” seminar on Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m.; and an Older Adults Resource Fair at Village Hall on Thursday, April 24 from 10 a.m. until noon. The fair is described as a one-stop event for seniors and caregivers to connect with health-care providers, financial and legal advisors and other local services.
McCauley said the village also plans memory cafes — small, judgement-free social gatherings for people living with dementia and their caregivers — and training sessions for businesses so owners and employees can better support customers experiencing memory loss. “More seniors and their families are looking for guidance for someone to point them in the right direction with diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer’s,” McCauley said.
Village officials said the programs are an early phase of building certification and partnerships; funding sources and a formal certification timeline were not specified in the announcement. The Health and Human Services department will lead the effort and rely on public–private partnerships, the village said.
The village described the initiative as part of a broader effort to make Hoffman Estates “a place where everyone at every stage of life feels valued and supported.”
The rollout combines scheduled classes and public events with outreach to businesses and community organizations. Officials said additional programming and details on volunteer roles or service funding would be provided as the program develops.
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