Page 31 - Healthy Brain Initiative, State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: The 2018-2023 Road Map
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COMPELLING DATA
» Promote the use of supportive practices and
strategies, such as clearly marked signage, quiet
public spaces during events, and supportive » Approximately 70% of people with
Alzheimer’s and other dementias live in
transportation options (volunteer driver programs, the community, with an estimated one-
etc.) to take people to destinations in their quarter living alone. 1
communities.
» Only half of employers have policies that
To help ensure that local and state preparedness plans support caregivers: 53% offer flexible
consider the particular vulnerabilities of this population, work hours/paid sick days, 32% offer
public health agencies can elicit insights from people paid family leave, 23% offer employee
with dementia, caregivers, and experts on cognitive assistance programs, and 22% allow
impairment. Further, emergency responders and telecommuting. 31
shelter staff could benefit from training about signs and » Caring for people with Alzheimer’s can
symptoms of dementia, or conditions that can mimic have a negative effect on employment,
cognitive impairment. • income, and financial security. Among
caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s
and other dementias who are employed
full or part time, 57% said they had
to go in late, leave early, or take
time off because of their caregiving
responsibilities. In addition, 18% had
to go from full to part time, 16% took
a leave of absence, and 8% turned
down a promotion due to the burden of
caregiving. 1
» Although a majority of people with
Alzheimer’s will wander at some point,
as of 2015, only 10 states require
Across Colorado, first responders training for law enforcement regarding
received training on ways to safely and dementia. 32 Additionally, people with
compassionately serve people living dementia are particularly vulnerable
with dementia. Learn more on page 48. The Action Agenda
during natural disasters such as floods
and hurricanes. 33,34
III.
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