CLEARFIELD – A campaign to tackle the stigma and lack of understanding around dementia is under way with the support of a Clearfield agency.
Julie Fenton, the director of business development for the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, is hosting a ‘Dementia Friends’ information session on March 12, and is looking for local people to join in learning about dementia and helping people who are living with it in the community.
According to CCAAA, Dementia Friends is the largest-ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way people think, talk and act about the disease.
According to CCAAA, Dementia Friends session helps people to learn about dementia and the small ways they can help. From telling friends about the program to visiting someone they know living with dementia, every action counts.
The one-hour session will take place at the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging on March 12, beginning at 4 p.m.
Approximately 400,000 Pennsylvanians are living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Having volunteered to be a Dementia Friends Champion, Fenton, through the CCAAA, is now delivering Dementia Friends Sessions to people across Clearfield County.
She said, “I signed up to be a Dementia Friends Champion because this is something that is very important to me both personally and professionally and I want to share my knowledge with others.
“It’s easy to get involved. I attended a training and I’m now proud to be part of a growing network of people creating dementia friendly communities together.”
Anyone interested in attending the Dementia Friends Session should contact Julie Fenton at 814-765-2696 to register.