For Immediate Release: 6/21/2019 3:00 pm
The Worcester Senior Center will host a kickoff celebration for the Dementia Friendly Worcester (DFW) initiative on Tuesday, June 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 128 Providence Street.
DFW’s mission is to bring diverse sectors of the community together to increase awareness and education in an effort to make the City of Worcester more inclusive and supportive of people living with dementia.
The DFW Action Team first met in March 2019 and continues to meet on a monthly basis. Members of the team represent a variety of community sectors: community-based organizations, assisted living facilities, transportation, housing and legal services.
The number of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is projected to grow dramatically in the coming decades. One response to this trend is the dementia friendly community movement. A dementia friendly community is one that is informed, safe, and respectful of individuals with the syndrome, their families and their caregivers.
Worcester has an estimated 37,000 residents age 60 and older and the rate of Alzheimer’s disease amongst Worcester elders (16 percent) is higher than both the state (14 percent) and national (11 percent) rates.
The event will feature vendor tables, refreshments, games featuring facts and statistics about dementia, an informational slideshow and interactive posters.
