Dementia Friendly Awareness Week is June 5-11, 2023. The St. Croix Valley Dementia Friendly Communities Coalition (SCVDFCC) has several great events planned! These programs will encourage social interaction, community involvement and enjoyment of music and theatre while promoting our mission: Collaborating to inspire healthy, friendly communities that support those living with dementia. 

• Music By Heart-Sunday, June 11 at Hudson’s Lakefront Park Bandshell. Join us at 11:45 a.m. to visit sponsor tables for resource information, have some refreshments, and prepare to dance and sing with The Whitesidewalls Rock ‘N’ Roll Revue at 12:30 p.m. This is a free event and open to the public. We want to raise awareness of dementia and fight its stigma by sharing the power of music and the joy in social engagement.
• Grandpa and Lucy is a play inspired by a children’s book by Edie Weinstein. This live event with community conversation will help all ages find effective ways to interact with someone who is experiencing changes in their memory or other cognitive skills. The play will be offered in two locations:
  • 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7– United Methodist Church in Hudson. Join us for a sandwich supper, and visit with sponsors and learn about resources and support available. Play starts at 6:15 p.m. Please register for this event by calling Amy Luther at 715 273-6780.
  • 3 p.m. Thursday, June 8 – Wellhaven Senior Living in River Falls

In addition to these events, the Dementia Care Specialists in St. Croix and Pierce County are offering several other free events to promote brain health, social engagement, and community support of those living with dementia and their care partners.

Join us for a free, fun, interactive and creative musical experience with HealthRHYTHMS Drumming. Creative expression, group participation and relaxation is good for us. Making music together using a steady beat brings people together physically, emotionally and mentally. The need to connect with others may be the most important component contributing to quality of life. Trying something new is great for brain health.

Events will be held:

• 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 6 at Wellhaven Senior Living (119 Union St., River Falls)
• 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 13 at St. John’s Lutheran Church (S520 Church Ave., Spring Valley)
• 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, July 7 at Freedom Park Pavilion (200 Monroe St., Prescott)

The ADRC also offers free brain health checkups, which are wellness tools similar to blood pressure checks or diabetes screenings. The checkup provides a baseline screen for changes in memory or other cognitive skills. Checkups are free, quick and confidential with immediate results. It can start a conservation about many health conditions that can impact brain health and are treatable. You can also get additional information and resources on brain health, caregiving, social activities and other services available at the ADRC. Reserve a time by calling Dementia Specialist Amy Luther at 715-273-6780.

To find out more, visit https://www.facebook.com/stcroixvalleydementiafriendlycommunities

Or contact us for more info: amy.luther@co.pierce.wi.us, 715 273-6780 or kimberly.bauer@sccwi.gov 715 381-4411.

Submitted by Amy Luther