Dementia Friendly Elgin
Dementia Friendly Elgin
Are you a caregiver? Do you need help?
What does it mean to be Dementia Friendly?
Elgin’s Dementia Friendly Movement
Communities from coast to coast are joining the Dementia Friendly America movement. Dementia Friendly America strives to create communities where all people can live, age and thrive.
Dementia Friendly Elgin Friends
We formed this committee for YOU. We have provided resources for you and your family members. We are not a medical association. We encourage you or your loved one to visit a medical professional, and obtain a thorough examination and diagnosis.
Our Mission
As a dementia friendly community, we are dedicated to strengthening and supporting those with cognitive changes and their care partners by raising awareness, reducing societal stigma, providing education, and communicating best practices.
Our Vision
We strive to improve the lives, welfare, and dignity for those with cognitive changes, while maintaining the greatest level of compassion, expertise, and integrity.
Loneliness & Alzheimers - Watch this Ted Talk Video ~ don't drift by people with dementia. Click Here: Watch Video
Programs for Caregivers
- StressBusting for Caregivers
- Alzheimer’s Association Programming at Gail Borden Public Library
- Elgin Memory Café/Café de los Recuerdos:
- In Person, 2nd Tuesday of each month, 4:00-5:30 p.m., South Elgin Village Squire
- Virtually, 4th Tuesday of each month, 10:00-11:00 a.m., Zoom
Programs for those living with Dementia
Programs for Spanish Speakers
- Café de los Recuerdos - Stay tuned for upcoming events/information.
- Partners with Cafe de los Recuerdos are: Elisa Campos and Mauricio Andrade from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center and Latino CORE Study
Business Trainings Events and Photos
- How can your business or organization become certified as Dementia Friendly?
- Dementia Awareness Training Flyer
- Businesses that have completed training:
- Gail Borden Public Library District
- KCT Bank
- South Elgin Village Hall
- Elgin Senior Services Associates, Inc.
- City of Elgin Code Inspectors / 311 Advocates / Public Health Inspectors
- Elgin Fire Department
- Elgin Police Department
- Elgin Police Department Explorers
- Edward Jones - Office of Ray Ercoli
- Edward Jones - Office of Brittany Starke
- Oak Crest Assisted Living
- Victory Centre
- Tyler Towers
- Healthcare Plus - Elgin
- Elgin Township Supervisor staff, Road District Staff & Assessor's Office Staff
- Red Hat Society
Other Information and Resources
- Memory Café Directory
- Dementia Friendly America
- Illinois Cognitive Resources Network (ICRN)
- Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group
Local Partners
- TRIAD (Law Enforcement/Seniors/Businesses & Organizations): 847-741-2045
- Elgin Senior Services Associates, Inc.: 847-741-0404
- Gail Borden Public Library District: 847-742-2411
Elgin's Story
On July 5, 2019, Elgin became the 5th city in Illinois to earn the Dementia Friendly designation from Dementia Friendly America. We held ribbon cuttings celebrating the Elgin Memory Café and Café de los Recuerdos. We provided 355 library programs in 365 days serving senior living communities, developmental communities and individuals living at home with care partners. We also created a Resource Guide for YOU that reaches our community through first responders, healthcare providers, the Gail Borden Public Library and Elgin Senior Services Associates, Inc.
We are here for you, even during the pandemic.
OFFICERS OF THE DEMENTIA FRIENDLY ELGIN BOARD
President: Glenna Godinsky, Gail Borden Public Library
Vice President: Cherie Aschenbrenner, City of Elgin
Treasurer: Angela Bouque, Gail Borden Public Library
Secretary: Susan Wesner, Northwestern University
BOARD MEMBERS: Adele Larsen, Senior Services Associates and Bernee Gredzieleski, Heritage Woods of South Elgin/White Oaks of South Elgin, Dena Fischer, Presto Real Estate.
Dementia Friendly Elgin Advisory Council
Glenna Godinsky, Gail Borden Library - ggodinsky@gailborden.info - 847-289-5848
Angela Bouque, Gail borden Library - abouque@gailborden.info - 847-931-2093
Cherie Aschenbrenner, City of Elgin - aschenbrenner_c@cityofelgin.org - 847-289-2626
Dr. Susan Wesner, Elgin Resident - susanbwesner@gmail.com
Lt. Matt Kenneally, Elgin Fire Dept. - Kenneally_m@cityofelgin.org
Bernee Gredzieleski, Heritage Woods of South Elgin - marketing@hw-s-elgin-slf.com
Jerry Cowsert, Elgin Resident - jerrycowsert@hotmail.com
Amanda Pratt - Tower Hill Healthcare - amanda@towerhillhealthcare.com
Adele Larsen - Director of Marketing, Senior Services Assoc. - alarsen@seniorservicesassoc.org
Dena Fischer - Presto Real Estate Services - dena@prestorealestate.com
Rocio Robledo - Recruiter for Healthcare Plus - rocio.robledo@hcpcaregivers.com
James Risner - Director of Sales & Marketing at The Sheridan by Tyler Creek - jrisner@seniorlifestyle.com
Det. Krysta Kaus - Kane County Sheriff's Office - kauskrysta@co.kane.il.us
George Wolff - Physical Therapist -Elgn Resident - geowolff@wowway.com
Debbie Miller, LCSW, Senior Service Associates - dmiller@seniorservicesassoc.org
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