Tami Kolbinger, a Dementia Friends Minnesota champion and project leader of the Becker action team of ACT on Alzheimer’s — gave the face-to-face, one-hour presentation to around a dozen people.

 

Kolbinger and an assistant handed out a session workbook and community flyer and went over discussion on what dementia is and all the other diseases that fall under the “dementia umbrella”.

 

In the meeting room at the BCC, guests gathered around a couple tables and along the back wall. Kolbinger went over what people should know about the disorder of dementia and explained aht Dementia Friends is. Kolbinger spoke about how normal aging is compared to Alzheimer’s and what some of the signs and symptoms were.

 

She guided her guests along the workbook and had them work together in groups of two or three to match sentences from one column to another to make the broken sentences make sense to people who have clear minds.

 

Kolbinger read aloud a Bookcase Story from the workbook which compares a human brain to that of a bookcase and the information encased in those books for those with a healthy brain and those who are affected by advanced Alzheimer’s disease. She also asked the participants to write a step-by-step instruction list to complete a task one does daily or often (such as brush ones’ teeth or make a sandwich).

 

Towards the end of the one-hour session, Kolbinger instructed the invitees to consider some tips on communicating better with people who have the disorder. She presented them with five key messages and asked them to turn their understanding into action by becoming a Dementia Friend Minnesota champion.

 

Resources were listed in the back of the workbook as well as books on the subject were on display in the front of the room.

 

Kolbinger said the goal of the Dementia Friends information session is to help community members understand dementia and the small things they can do to make a difference for people living with the disorder.

 

In 2015, 35 national, leading organizations launched Dementia Friendly America, applying the tools of ACT on Alzheimer’s to catalyze a movement across America to more effectively support and serve those who are living with dementia and their family and friend care partners.

 

ACT on Alzheimer’s fosters collective ownership and accountability in preparing Minnesota for the personal, social and budgetary impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. ACT on Alzheimer’s launched in June of 2011 and people from all community sectors have come together to create supportive environments for those touched by Alzheimer's and related dementias.