City of Glendale to host Dementia Awareness Day in August
Jul 25, 2022, 4:25 AM
(Vince Talotta/Getty Images)
(Vince Talotta/Getty Images)
PHOENIX — In honor of Glendale joining a national dementia-friendly program last August, the West Valley city will host Dementia Awareness Day next month.
The event is scheduled to take place Aug. 13 at the Glendale Main Library near 59th and Peoria avenues from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to a press release.
Educational information and resources will be provided to attendees to generate awareness about dementia, such as early detection and intervention, while the event also aims to improve the quality of life for people and caregivers that are impacted by the disease.
Glendale joined the Dementia Friendly America Program last year, as the state is expected to experience the fastest growth of residents living with dementia in the United States over the next several years.
Since the inception of the West Valley initiative, more than 500 city employees were trained to better understand all aspects of dementia, the release said.
“As a city, we have established five core values that we live by both personally and professionally,” Michelle Yates, Glendale’s community engagement program manager, said in the release.
“One of those core values is community. We are driven to improve the community experience, and that is what we’re trying to accomplish by bringing awareness to this disease.”
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers will offer the welcome and proclamation, followed by presentations and talks from doctors at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute.
“I walk the journey every day with those who suffer from some form of dementia, along with that person’s family, loved one, friend or caregiver,” Jeannie Grates, community outreach manager at Inspira Arrowhead, said in the release.
“We are committed to helping remove the stigma surrounding dementia through information and to connect to those in every socio-economic group in Glendale with the resources and information they need.”
There are more than 150,000 people in Arizona over the age of 65 who live with dementia, impacting at least 257,000 family members and caregivers, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The amount of those living with the disease is expected to increase 33% by 2025.
Other Valley cities part of the Dementia Friendly America Program are Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and Surprise.
