The City of Highland Park is now officially a Dementia Friendly Community. Dementia Friendly America is an organization that fosters local community transformation using tools, resources, and technical assistance designed to equip communities to better support people living with dementia and their care partners. Through this program, Highland Park is working to connect across sectors, adopt dementia-friendly practices and goals, and include and encourage people with dementia to lead efforts to advance dementia friendliness.
An initiative of the Police Department, Highland Park's effort to become a Dementia Friendly Community is led by Police Social Worker Dr. Cynthia Plazas, PhD, LPC, and Social Services Coordinator Jennifer Aiello, MS, LPC. City Council affirmed the City's commitment to the principles of a Dementia Friendly Community at the March 9, 2020 meeting. Representatives from City Council and from all City Departments have completed training provided by Dementia Friendly America to better engage and support Highland Park's aging population.
Dementia Friendly America's training programs are not limited to organizations! To learn more about how you can contribute to creating a Dementia Friendly Highland Park by becoming a Dementia Friend yourself, visit dfamerica.org.
Dementia-Friendly Business Sector Training
As part of the Dementia-Friendly initiative, Highland Park businesses are invited to complete training focused on understanding the needs of customers with dementia and providing supportive service. Training is available on an ongoing basis. Information is available below for business owners interested in completing this training and becoming a dementia-friendly business.
Congratulations to the following businesses and organizations that have already completed this training to better serve customers with dementia!
Faith in Action Volunteers
Family Service of Lake County
Meredith Wood, MA, LMFT
Moraine Township
Sally's Nuts LLC
Therapeutic Kneads, Ltd.
Dementia-Friendly Training for Your Business or Organization
Complete this form to indicate your interest in training.
Dementia-Friendly Business Sector Training
As part of the Dementia-Friendly initiative, Highland Park businesses are invited to complete training focused on understanding the needs of customers with dementia and providing supportive service. Training is available on an ongoing basis. Information is available below for business owners interested in completing this training and becoming a dementia-friendly business.
Congratulations to the following businesses and organizations that have already completed this training to better serve customers with dementia!
Faith in Action Volunteers
Family Service of Lake County
Meredith Wood, MA, LMFT
Moraine Township
Sally's Nuts LLC
Therapeutic Kneads, Ltd.
Dementia-Friendly Training for Your Business or Organization
Complete this form to indicate your interest in training.
There are 6 different sector trainings at present:
- Healthcare
- First Responders
- Elder Rights
- Faith Communities
- Transportation
- General Community
Dementia-Friendly Business Standards
- At least 50% of front line staff participate in training, with management required to attend training
- Team leader appointed as a liaison
- Open to discussion regarding environmental changes to enhance safety
- Commitment to share training with new hires and those who weren’t able to attend the original training
- Agreement to annual on-site follow-up visits