By Susan Motander
A few months ago a new organization, Dementia Friendly Monrovia (DFM) was formed as an offshoot of the Monrovia Senior Providers Group. In these few months much progress has been made in this forming this group. They have formed an action team and been recognized by Dementia Friendly American, the national parent organization. The organization has even been listed as a community organization on the city of Monrovia’s website.
The group has completed the first of four phases in making the Monrovia community Dementia Friendly. They are now working on Phase 2 with an online survey. They have developed partnerships with both Azusa Pacific University (APU) and Alzheimer Los Angeles. They are now working with APU students studying for their licensed clinical social worker degrees.
DFM is on track to complete the all four phases of the program by the end of this year. Representatives from the group will even be presenting a workshop at the 10th annual Monrovia Area Partnership conference soon.
The group is made up of a broad spectrum of organizations representing businesses, educators, law enforcement, first responders, health care, the faith community, local government and individuals. These individuals meet regularly to “advance the effort to develop programming and resources for Monrovia residents and their families that live with dementia.”
Anyone interested in working with them is encouraged by Nathan Kirschenbaum, the chair of the group to attend their next meeting on Feb. 21, at 3:30 p.m. at the APU School of Nursing, 606 E. Huntington Drive.
