Dementia-Friendly Leader® Training for senior professional organizations is offered through the nonprofit ‘Dementia-Friendly Communities of Northern Colorado®.’ Cyndy Luzinski, Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit explained, “Our support group, memory café, and other life enrichment program attenders often inquire about which agencies ‘will take good care of my loved one’ when the time comes for hired assistance. They talk among themselves and are increasingly aware that although excellence in dementia care may not be guaranteed, it is definitely evidenced by those organizations which invest in extensive staff education each year. Organizations don’t have to do the training with us, but we do use criteria to ensure that those earning ‘Dementia-Friendly Leader’ designation, are indeed teaching content consistent with best practice guidelines.”
100% of the Seven Lakes Memory Care staff; administration, maintenance, housekeeping, dietary, and direct care providers; recently participated in DFL education. Angela Archibald, executive director of 7 Lakes shared, “It’s made a big difference. The staff are enthused about the impact they have in creating well-being for our residents.” Another staff member eagerly shared, “We are much better at joining our residents and communicating insights with one another. What Cyndy taught us really works.” Luzinski reiterated, “It only takes one untrained staff member to interfere with contentment for someone living with dementia. It’s fun to see how the entire 7 Lakes Memory Care staff understands that. We look forward to continued collaboration with them and other organizations who believe, as we do, in Northern Colorado, we CAN make living well with dementia the expectation, not the exception.”
See DementiaFriendsNoCO.org for listing of DementiaFriendly Leader® organizations.