Three north-central Minnesota agencies have been awarded grant dollars to support people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
According to a release from the Minnesota Board on Aging, an estimated 97,000 Minnesotans have Alzheimer’s disease, which is projected to increase by nearly 25 percent to 120,000 by 2025. Northwoods Caregivers of Bemidji was awarded over $114,000, Living at Home of the Park Rapids Area was awarded nearly $50,000, and Koochiching Aging Options was awarded almost $34,000.
These three were out of a dozen Minnesota organizations that can use the funding to increase awareness, promote early diagnosis and connect caregivers to resources.
- Koochiching Aging Options, International Falls, $33,837 to promote participation of persons with dementia in the social and educational benefits of an expanded Memory Café, expand one-on-one assistance of a dementia support specialist, assemble and distribute memory kits, and extend education about dementia through Dementia Friends learning sessions targeting business and school communities.
- Living at Home of the Park Rapids Area, Park Rapids, $49,569 to increase awareness through Dementia Friends Sessions, Virtual Dementia Tours, and Lunch and Learn modules; a three-day workshop with Teepa Snow’s “Positive Approach to Care” program; distribution of 1,000 resource packets to hospitals, care communities and health fairs; an expanded caregiver coaching program; a new social media presence via a website and Facebook page; and hosting six performances of The Remember Project Dementia Awareness Tour.
- Northwoods Caregivers, Bemidji, $114,348 to increase awareness and early identification, and to connect caregivers, including outreach to Native American and LGBT communities, building upon and strengthening partnerships with the Red Lake, White Earth and Leech Lake tribal nations as well as Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College.
