CANCELLED IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Accessing Dementia Friendly Communities Through Understanding

with Melissa Grenier, LCSW, CDP, Regional Manager, State of NH, Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter

This is the first of four quarterly Aging in Community Forum meetings this year, held in different Upper Valley locations.  It’s an opportunity for community leaders across the Upper Valley to come together to share questions and successful ideas and to learn about programs and resources available to all communities. This meeting will be held at the Upper Valley Senior Center, 10 Campbell Street, Lebanon, NH.

Dementia Friendly communities allow people with memory loss to thrive and remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. This presentation will provide an overview of the communication, behavioral, and physical changes that occur over the course of a person’s journey with memory loss.  A better understanding of the evolving needs of a people with memory loss will allow us to discuss and strategize how to adapt our communities to meet those needs. Melissa and Alice Ely will engage participants in a discussion of how our volunteer-based groups and supporting organizations can help build more dementia-friendly communities throughout the Upper Valley.

Melissa Grenier, LCSW, graduated with her Bachelors of Social Work degree from Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts, and later obtained her Masters of Social Work degree from Springfield College. Melissa has worked in the areas of elder guardianship, home care, geriatric psychiatric care, and long-term care for over fifteen years.  She has worked for the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter, for over eight years, and is currently the Regional Manager for the State of New Hampshire.  Her role includes overseeing the operations of the Bedford, NH, regional office, and providing the Alzheimer’s Association’s wide range of programs, services and trainings to those diagnosed with memory impairment, their loved ones and caregivers, the public, and law enforcement and first responders, across NH.

Other Aging in Community Forum dates for 2020 include:

• June 17 (Kilton Public Library, West Lebanon)
• September 16 (Dwinell Room, Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, Lebanon)
• November 11 (Location TBD)