The Solon Retirement Village located at 523 E 5th Street in Solon has been recognized as a Dementia Friendly Business. Since the inception of Dementia Friendly Iowa, only 72 businesses within the state have achieved this status.
To be recognized as a Dementia Friendly Business, staff needed to attend a one-hour training presented by a dementia friendly trainer and have a minimum of 50% staff participation with a goal of reaching 100%. During the training, they discussed dementia friendly changes within their organization, including the continued support of people living with dementia and their caregivers. The focus of the education was for management and staff to recognize the signs of dementia, communicate more effectively with patience and understanding, and work to develop and maintain business practices to better serve their residents.
Established in 1973, the mission of the Solon Retirement Village is to provide superior service to all who enter our doors, to support our families and employees, to strive for excellence every day, and to serve our community with pride in everything we do. we
Dementia Friends is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. Developed and proven to be successful by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom, the Dementia Friends initiative is now underway in Iowa and across the United States. Dementia Friendly Iowa promotes change and education in communities to create a more welcoming, safe, and respectful space for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Any business/organization in Iowa can become “dementia friendly.” Please contact local Dementia Friends Champion Scott Maiers, [email protected] or 319-325-8037 for more information.
Solon Retirement Village staff pose for a photo after completing Dementia Friendly Business training. The facility recently obtained recognition as a Dementia Friendly Business to create a more welcoming, safe, and respectful space for people living with dementia and their caregivers.