Free Dementia Friendly Training Slated for Jan. 15

SPRINGFIELD — The Live Well Springfield Age & Dementia Friendly Coalition, in collaboration with the Springfield Dementia Friendly Coalition, is offering a free Dementia Friendly Training on Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Office, 60 Congress St., Springfield. This training is open to community partners, healthcare professionals, and Age & Dementia Friendly advocates in the Greater Springfield area.

Dementia Friends is a global movement to change the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. This presentation is an interactive session that teaches participants what dementia is, how it affects people, and how friends and family can stay connected with the people in their lives who are living with dementia.

The presenter for this training is Beth Soltzberg, who directs the Alzheimer’s/Related Disorders Family Support Program at Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS) in Waltham. She leads the Dementia Friends Massachusetts public-awareness program and is part of the statewide leadership team promoting dementia-friendly community initiatives. She founded and coordinates the Percolator Memory Café Network, a resource for those starting and sustaining memory cafés across Massachusetts. Beth also facilitates the JF&CS Memory Café and a support group for adults with a parent living with dementia.

To register for the Jan. 15 event, click here.