Ventura, Calif. – A new movement was introduced to Ventura County this summer as the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association, and other partnering agencies rolled out Dementia Friendly Ventura County to provide better service to local residents living with dementia and to their caregivers. Initial efforts are targeting local businesses with a challenge to become Dementia Friendly.

Borne out of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging to address the national and global epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Dementia Friendly Ventura County is designed to help educate the public about having understanding, tolerance, and patience and to advocate for the growing number of older adults with the disease. Current efforts are geared toward having Ventura County businesses complete either an online or in-person Dementia Friendly @Work Training to officially become Dementia Friendly. Businesses that complete the required registration as well as the training will be certified as Dementia Friendly and will receive a sticker and poster to display at their place of business.

Alzheimer’s Disease accounts for 60-80 percent of dementia cases and currently impacts an estimated 610,000 Californians, a number projected to grow to 840,000 by 2025. The goals of DFVC are to create a county where persons with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are valued and respected, feel safe, and their caregivers are supported; to educate and inform all entities that serve the public about the unique needs of this population to better serve and support them; and to promote community awareness of the condition and how individuals and businesses can make a positive difference.

For more information, or to register to become a Dementia Friendly business, please visit www.vcaaa.or/dementiafriendly or call (805) 477-7306.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, an agency of the County of Ventura, is the principal agency in Ventura County charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting and to advocate for the needs of those 60 years of age and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.

Media inquiries may be directed to Jannette Jauregui, VCAAA Public Information Officer, at (805) 477-7306.

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