Summit DD is proud to be a partner in this amazing community accomplishment! Summit County is now recognized by Dementia Friendly America® as a Dementia Friendly Community. With a strong coalition of partners, Dementia Friendly Summit County will begin working toward making its 31 communities more accessible, accepting, and livable for residents living with all forms of dementia.
Led by the Akron-Summit County Public Library, the Dementia Friendly coalition includes Summit DD, Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro, Summit County Public Health, Asian Services in Action (ASIA), the Greater East Ohio Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and Kim Peterson, Community-Based Care Partner. Summa Health and NEOMED supported this initiative through Ohio’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) grant funded by the federal Health Resources & Services Administration. The Ohio Council for Cognitive Health, the Dementia Friendly America state lead, serves as guide and advisor to the coalition.
“This designation is a crucial step toward eliminating the stigma around dementia and folks living with dementia,” said Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro, “And it strongly aligns with our all-hands-on-deck approach to supporting people with dementia and older adults in Summit County. Our partners never cease to amaze with their level of commitment and coordination in all that they do for our residents.”
Read the entire press release from the Akron-Summit County Public Library by clicking below.
