Written by Jess Maurer Past Webinar: Creating Dementia Friendly Communities: Minnesota Model
Thursday, June 23, 2016 – 12:00pm – 1:30pm
The “Creating Dementia Friendly Communities: Minnesota Model” webinar will focus on how communities can organize to adopt dementia friendly practices within and across all community sectors by using the ACT on Alzheimer’s® Dementia Friendly Communities Toolkit and community engagement process.
Communities in Minnesota are geographic-based, faith-based, or share ethno-racial or cultural interests. They strive to create dementia-supportive environments that raise awareness and develop respect and inclusion of people with dementia; have services and resources embedded across the community; educate and support people with dementia and their caregivers; and promote meaningful engagement in community life. Webinar presenters will discuss best practices and lessons learned from communities, ACT’s ongoing development of best practice resources, and how key partners contribute to the success of a dementia readiness effort.
Our Presenters
Denise Harlow
Denise Harlow graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in psychology. After graduation, she worked with all ages coaching cross country running, tutoring at a school for special needs children and driving for UPS while focusing on her lifelong goal of qualifying for the Olympic Marathon Trials. After qualifying for the trials, she began working on various political campaigns, eventually running for the Maine House of Representatives. She is in her third term in the house and has served all three terms on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
She has a special interest in aging issues, as her dad has lived with dementia for many years. He is currently bedridden at home where he is cared for by his wife. Denise currently lives with them and helps when she can.
Emily Farah-Miller, M.S.
Emily Farah-Miller is a program developer with the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging and has worked in the field of aging for 15 years, with an expert focus on family caregivers. She coordinates the work of over 40 Minnesota communities in using a comprehensive community engagement process to become dementia friendly. Emily facilitates community implementation of the 4-phase ACT on Alzheimer’s® Dementia Friendly Communities Toolkit and she is the liaison for ACT technical assistance partners within the Area Agencies on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association. Emily’s professional experience also includes coordinating statewide initiatives and implementing programs requiring collaboration with state and local partners. She holds an M.S. in Gerontology and a B.A. in Psychology.
Kathleen Gilbride, M.Ed.
Kathy Gilbride has designed curriculum and mentored classroom instructors and college faculty on various teaching methodologies, implementation and evaluation. She has worked in a variety of educational settings, including classroom teaching at the elementary, middle school and college levels. Kathy’s business background includes 10 years as a business analyst/program manager.
Currently a Community Developer at Central MN Council on Aging, Kathy interacts with communities to develop and design programs and services for the aging population. She leads seven central Minnesota communities through an evidence-based process to become dementia friendly communities. Kathy has designed learning tools that prepare communities to confidently conduct effective community sector interviews and gather useful information.
Kathy holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Minnesota State University-Moorhead.