Question: How did Panama City become Dementia Friendly?
Answer: Community leaders were personally affected by loved ones living with Dementia. They realized that Dementia is a life-changing condition that puts everyone at risk for neglect or abuse.
Teepa Snow's Positive Approach™ to Care offers practical, supportive education so you can adapt to changes and live life with confidence, quality, and compassion.
Dementia Friendly Panama City (DFPC) is a community effort with community leaders making Bay County as welcoming, inclusive, and supportive as possible for people living with Dementia and for Care Partners who choose to become a Dementia Friend.
5-Star ALF Dementia Friendly Caregiver Training
6-Steps to Become Dementia Friendly
Lifesaver electronic bracelets
4th annual Dementia Wellness Expo 12.7.23
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The Dementia Friendly Panama City initiative started years ago with the commitment of community leaders who understood: "Dementia affects all of us!" The Dementia Friendly Panama City builds on existing memory programs such as the Bay County Council on Aging adult day respite, monthly educational meetings, and monthly Dementia Support Group, and Memory Café programs. The DFPC movement extends the efforts of Senior Helpers of Panama City with their Caregiver training program created with Teepa Snow 20 years ago called the Senior GEMS. After Teepa was in Panama City 2.22.22, Home Health agencies, Churches, and Nursing Homes became Dementia Friendly with Teepa's Positive Approach to Care.
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Utilizing new partnerships, DFPC supports the existing Scent Evidence Kit, central database of people living with dementia to alert Police Officers when responding to a call, Lifesaver electronic bracelets and 6-Steps to Become Dementia Friendly training on the Dementia Family Pathways website - free to anyone looking for answers to Become a Better Care Partner.
DFPC proudly promotes the Better Baker Act , Snow Approach for EMS, and a 5-Star ALF Dementia Friendly Rating. With each new initiative, DFPC is creating an environment where people living with dementia are supported and resources are provided for Care Partners to thrive!