Valley VNA Senior Services is dementia aware! Active with the Fox Valley Memory Project’s program action committee, we have volunteered to present the Purple Angel Awareness Program in the Neenah-Menasha area.
The Purple Angel Dementia Awareness Program works to train employees to offer hospitality and support to people with confusion, memory loss or other symptoms associated with dementia. This program trains employees that work for a variety businesses and public institutions, such as:
- Restaurants & Retail shops
- Grocery Stores
- Banks & Credit Unions
- Libraries & City Buildings
Businesses that have completed the training process can be identified by the Purple Angel decal displayed in their window. People with dementia, along with their care partners can be assured these establishments will welcome them warmly and offer any extra assistance if needed.
If you are a business that focuses on customer service and would like to help improve the lives of those with dementia, consider participating in the training process.
Please call 920-727-5555 or check out our events calendar for upcoming training sessions.
Carrie Esselman, Therapeutic Recreational Specialist at Valley VNA, helped write a grant with Susan McFadden, Ph.D. from the Fox Valley Memory Project to fund drum circle training for 11 long term care facilities across northeast Wisconsin. The $2500 grant will help pay for Tom Gill, from Rhythm for Unity in Milwaukee, to introduce and train therapeutic specialists and activities’ directors to the world of drumming for their residents.
Drumming has been shown to particularly engage and soothe people with dementia.
“People in late stages of dementia begin to lose their ability to stay in step with others during an activity. They may also lose their ability to show emotion. Drumming has an amazing way of helping them participate and express themselves,” Esselman said.
The regional training workshop held in March will lead up to a community-wide drumming performance at the Thompson Community Center on June 6. Residents from as far away as Seymour and Freedom will join others from the Fox Valley at the Thompson Community Center in a celebration of drumming.