Submitted By
Tammie Grossman, Director Development Customer Services
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Motion to Concur with the Aging In Place Commission’s Recommendation for the Village of Oak Park to Pursue Designation as a Dementia Friendly Community
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Overview
Overview
The Aging In Place Commission has been meeting with community organizations such as Concordia University, the Oak Park Township, Right at Home and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Age Friendly Committee. The Commission is recommending that the Village of Oak Park pursue obtaining designation as an Dementia Friendly Commission.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Approve
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve
Fiscal Impact
There maybe expenses associated with meetings and training of Village staff both of which are currently budgeted. If additional expenses are needed staff will add to the Village’s 2020 budget submission. However, staff believes expenses will be nominal.
Background
A Dementia Friendly village ensures every part of the community plays a role in working together to ensure that people with dementia can live as independently as possible. Dementia Friendly communities increase capacity to support people with dementia along with their care partners.
Local governments determine many community features that influence the quality of life for people with dementia. At the local level, policymakers can act to:
1) Minimize adverse health outcomes and improve quality of life for people with dementia and reduce care partner stress.
2) Allow a person with dementia to remain at home longer, cutting costs tied to stays in health care facilities.
3) Create a community that is more livable for all residents, including older adults and people with disabilities.
4) Benefit local economies by fostering a more attractive, competitive, and sustainable community.
In order to obtain the designation, Dementia Friendly America recommends four steps:
1) Convene; determine community readiness, build an action team and engage the community more broadly.
2) Engage; the broader community in a dialogue to learn community strengths, gaps, and priorities for action which raises awareness of dementia
3) Analyze; review all the data available from interviews and assessments, determine community strengths and gaps/opportunities related to each of the key elements of a dementia friendly community, and identify priority goals.
4) Act; create a community action plan and a timeline that includes specific objectives, and activities to meet these objectives, along with designating a lead person/organization.
The Development Customer Services Department (Staff liaision to the Aging in Place) will work with the Aging in Place Commission to take the steps necessary to obtain the designation and will coordinate with other citizen commissions, such as Disability Access and other Village Departments such as Health, Police and Fire.
Alternatives
Not approve the Motion
Previous Board Action
NA
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
On May 14, 2019, the Aging in Place Commission voted to support the recommendation to the Village Board.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
NA
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The Village will be working with the Oak Park Township and possibly other taxing bodies that provide services to the at risk population of people with living with dementia issues.