(541) 296-2231
404 West Second Street,
The Dalles, OR 97058
TEXT "THEDALLES" to 866-866-5545
Building a Dementia-Friendly Community in Wasco County
Presenters:
Scott McKay, Circles of Care Liaison - Dementia Friendly Wasco Co.
Tracy Morgan, Executive Director of OR & Southwest WA Alzheimer's Association.
Key Insights from The Dalles Area Chamber Community Affairs Meeting
This week’s Community Affairs meeting, hosted by The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, featured an engaging discussion on dementia awareness and community support, led by Scott McKay of Circles of Care and Tracy Morgan, Executive Director for the Alzheimer's Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington.
The session covered a broad spectrum of community updates, including local resources, support systems for caregivers, and the importance of early detection in Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Key topics included
Dementia-Friendly Wasco County Initiative
Scott McKay provided an overview of the Dementia-Friendly Wasco County initiative, which has been working to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and provide quality support for individuals living with dementia. Highlights included:
The initiative’s history and re-energization post-COVID.
The success of a six-part educational series on dementia led by Ronnie Hyde.
The Circles of Care project, which supports individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
A recent fundraiser that raised over $10,000 for community support efforts.
The Alzheimer's Association’s Role & Outreach Efforts
Tracy Morgan detailed the ongoing work of the Alzheimer's Association and the critical role it plays in education, advocacy, and caregiver support. Key points covered:
The staggering statistics: 79,000 people in Oregon currently live with Alzheimer’s, with Latino populations at higher risk.
The importance of early detection and new treatments available for those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
Upcoming outreach efforts, including monthly education presentations, volunteer recruitment, and faith-based community engagement.
The introduction of a 24/7 helpline and other free resources available for individuals and caregivers.
Community Action & Upcoming Initiatives
The discussion also touched on ways to deepen community engagement and ensure accessibility to essential resources. Key action points included:
Increasing outreach to the Hispanic/Latino community by identifying trusted bilingual partners.
Expanding support groups, including caregiver respite programs and Memory Cafés.
Partnering with local businesses and organizations to provide educational workshops on dementia awareness and prevention.
How You Can Get Involved
The Alzheimer's Association and Circles of Care are actively seeking volunteers to support local efforts in Wasco County. Opportunities include:
Becoming a community educator or support group leader.
Participating in upcoming outreach events and awareness campaigns.
Helping connect local businesses and community groups with Alzheimer’s education and support resources.
Join our Next Community Affairs Zoom Meeting HERE:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86986531533...
Every Thursday morning from 7AM - 8AM
About The Chamber
The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is an organization that gets things done – things that you and your company shouldn't have to do alone. Chamber membership is an investment in your company’s future and the vitality of the community.
Our diverse membership represents the entire community with members from business and industry, civic and non-profit organizations, social service agencies, education, government, home-based businesses and individuals. Nearly 500 members representing 2,000 individuals believe that Chamber membership is an important component to business growth, job development, and a healthy economy.
GET IN TOUCH:
404 West Second Street
The Dalles, OR 97058
You can also find us here: