In an effort to help make the City of Fall River easier to navigate for those with dementia, Bristol Elder Services invited over fifty leaders to a Dementia Friendly Fall River Summit at White's Restaurant on October 18, 2016. The gathering provided an opportunity for Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Alice Bonner to describe what would be involved in adapting various aspects of community life to make it easier for persons with diminishing mental capacities and their caretakers to live successfully as has been done in a number of other communities. Professional Geriatric Care Manager Paulette Masse then went into a detailed explanation of the signs and symptoms of dementia. Caregivers Kathy Vena and Cynthia Cardoza then related their experiences in caring for a spouse with dementia and the challenges they faced. The session ended with breakout sessions in which participants listed their own ideas about what would have to change to make Fall River an easier place to live for those affected. Click here for a 22-minute video of the opening presentation with Secretary Bonner. Click here for a 19-minute presentation on the signs and symptoms of dementia. Click here for Kathy Vena's presentation. Click here for Cynthia Cardoza's presentation. Click here for a 21-minute video of the breakout session. Click here for the Herald News article.  For more information, contact Amy Cogan at 774-627-1325.

(Top row) Bristol Elder Services (BES) staff Cheryl Whittier, Kelly Allen and Lynn VanDerhoof greet the 62 participants as they arrive while BES CEO Nancy Munson speaks with Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Alice Bonner before Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II welcomes participants. (Row two) Ms. Muson begins the Summit and introduces Secretary Bonner for her opening remarks about building a dementia-friendly community and Professional Geriatric Care Manager Paulette Masse describes the warning signs and symptoms of dementia. (Row three) Linda Oliveira and Evan Whattley of HealthFirst Family Care Center, Tom Pasternak of Walsh Pharmacy, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III, Partners Outreach Manager Jack Shipley and Trish Robertson of Bristol Elder Services talk before the session begins. (Row four) Caregivers Kathy Vena, left, and Cynthia Cardoza talk with Paulette Masse while Judy Andrade of Bristol Community College (BCC) listens to Judy Castro and Council on Aging Associate Director Laurel Jonas describes her experiences. (Row five, left) Roseanne Taylor of BES reports for her group while Sharon Ford of Family Service Association and Bill Perkins of People Incorporated listen. (Row five, center) Jennifer Rodrigues of Fall River Emergency Medical Services speaks while Stanley Street Treatment and Resources CEO Nancy Paull and Karen Almeida of Senator Rodrigues' Office listen. (Row five, right) Cynthia Cardoza speaks with Secretary Bonner and Tom Pasternak during the breakout session. (Bottom row) Attorney Jane Sullivan, BCC Professor Judy Andrade and Mitch Zahn of the Massashusetts Rehabilitation Commission chat while Nancy Munson talks with participants at the end of the session and before Laurel Jones picks up a mug on her way out.