Dementia Friendly Glendale plans early October event

The Dementia Friendly Glendale Action Team will lead its yearly free event to help residents living with dementia and those who care for them connect with resources and support to boost their well-being.

The City of Glendale’s 5^th Annual Dementia Friendly Glendale Awareness Event, "Forget Me Not: Rooted in Hope and United in Care." City employees, healthcare organizations, memory care providers and non-profit organizations will provide tips and resources, along with engaging participants to build a more dementia-friendly community.

This year's event is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 Glendale Elementary School District System of Care Center, 7677 W. Bethany Home Road.

Glendale is one of Dementia Friendly America’s designated Dementia Friendly cities, reflecting a dedication to fostering community support for those living with the disease and their caregivers.

Arizona has the fastest growing rate of Alzheimer’s disease in the country with an estimated 7.4 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Approximately 242,000 family caregivers, in Arizona, provide an estimated 379 million hours of unpaid care to a person living with dementia.

Glendale is committed to raising awareness and erasing the stigma tied to dementia for those who suffer from it and their caregivers. The city provides opportunities for residents connect with organizations and tools to try to improve their brain health and provide support and comfort.

The event also highlights how Glendale’s various departments and businesses provide compassionate help to anyone with dementia and their caregivers.

Attendees will include

• Glendale’s Community Services Department and employees from other city departments
• Glendale Vice Mayor Ray Malnar
• Jeannie Grates and Valerie Blair, co -chairs of the Dementia Friendly Glendale Action Team
• Dr. Christine M. Belden, a Banner Health neuropsychologist who specializes in neurodegenerative disorders of aging
• Janice Greeno, a senior outreach program manager with Banner Health Research Institute & Banner Alzheimer's Institute

For information, vicitt Dementia Friendly Glendale | City of Glendale, AZ