City Times Staff

The YMCA is now a dementia-friendly organization.

In partnership with Portage County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, staff from the Stevens Point Area YMCA recently took specialized training classes from county dementia specialists.

The YMCA is the most recent organization to be certified as “Dementia Friendly”, following the Portage Co. Business Council and Grazies Italian Grill.

The designation is part of the Purple Angel Initiative, sponsored by the Portage County Dementia Support Network, helps employees learn the signs of dementia, and gives them a plan to address elderly customers who may be suffering from the disease.

Dementia-friendly businesses and organizations can be identified by a purple angel symbol sticker.

“The YMCA is pleased to be working with Portage County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center to create a positive environment that recognizes and responds to the special needs of adults with dementia,” a press release from the YMCA reads in part. “With awareness and training, YMCA staff assist and support the ARDC’s mission; creating a caring community, where aging adults have access to services, with maximum independence, and individual dignity.”

To participate in this initiative and learn about advantages of becoming a dementia-friendly business, contact the ADRC at (715) 346-1401 or 1-866-920-2525.