Dimentia-Friendly Washington

Dear Friends,
I am writing to invite you to an online conference that has several sessions which will be helpful to faith communities who are interested in reaching out to families impacted by dementia. In March OHFUMC launched an outreach ministry that started a Memory Cafe for persons living with dementia and their family and friends. It has been well received and easier than I thought. This conference is a great way to get ideas and inspiration for continuing and down the road expanding our caring for dementia families.

On Tuesday September 19th we will have a watch together time at OHFUMC beginning at 9:00 to 12:00 followed by Memory Cafe at 12:30. You might want to bring a sack lunch. I also want you to know, register attendees will have access to the recorded sessions so register even if you can not attend the whole conference. The conference has a sliding scale $40 to free.
Questions call Ginger 360-679-9071

Here’s the link with more details http://depts.washington.edu/mbwc/events/dfc Collaborating for a Dementia-Friendly Washington: Moving Forward Together

The event is organized by the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, on behalf of the Washington State Dementia Action Collaborative, with primary funding from the Aging and Long Term Support Administration, and with a planning committee made up of advisors from across the state.

 I am most exited for three sessions at the conference that will support our Café.

Session 1C: How to start a Memory Café program in your community | Beth Soltzberg, Founding Director, Jewish Family & Community Service Memory Café Percolator. This is where we got the information needed to start the Café on Whidbey island.

Session 2B: Engaging faith communities in the dementia-friendly communities movement | Fayron Epps, Associate Professor of Nursing, Emory University, and Daphne Johnston, Founder and Executive Director, Respite for All. Discover two models that equip faith communities to support people with memory loss and caregivers: This is an amazing program run by all volunteers!

Session 2C: Launching a dementia-friendly chorus: the Giving Voice model | Eyleen Braaten, Executive Director, Giving Voice. Learn the core principles of the Giving Voice model for developing community choruses for and with people with dementia, including examples of culturally tailored choral experiences. Who doesn’t like music? But it is especially beneficial for our brains.