OBX Businesses That Are Dementia Friendly

By Gail Hutchinson on Jun. 03, 2019

The Dementia Task Force is partnered with Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks in Dare County. It offers support to caregivers facing the difficulties of caring for loved ones with diagnosed memory loss, dementia/Alzheimer’s.

Its goals include reaching the public through educational outreach programs, an annual caregiver’s conference, and individual small group training. The group also aims to offer support through mentoring programs and a monthly caregiver support group. In addition, it helps connect the public with services and resources from various agency services, Area Agency on Aging, and Social Services.

For caregivers and people living with dementia, going beyond familiar surroundings can feel difficult. As a result, both the caregiver and the person receiving care may choose to remain in known environments, which can lead to isolation. Dementia friendly training teaches businesses, restaurants, employees, and managers about these challenges and how to respond appropriately, helping reduce the worry that can come with participating in community life.

The local symbol for dementia is the purple seahorse. Seahorse comes from the Latin word hippocampus, a part of the brain with an important role in memory. Participating partners display the purple seahorse logo to show their dementia friendly status.

Dementia Friendly Restaurants

Dining out can be overwhelming for many people living with dementia and for their caregivers. Restaurants that complete dementia friendly training gain practical skills that can help reduce stress and support a more comfortable dining experience. When using outerbanks.org to look for Dementia Friendly Restaurants, search results can be narrowed through the "Amenities" dropdown by choosing "Dementia Friendly."

Dementia Friendly Businesses

Everyday activities such as banking, transportation, shopping, and many others can become significantly more difficult for someone living with dementia. Dementia Friendly businesses have completed training that helps them recognize needs and adjust their approach, creating better experiences for caregivers and people living with dementia.

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau's four Welcome Centers in Manteo, Whalebone Junction, Kitty Hawk, and Hatteras Island are all Dementia Friendly. Participating OBX businesses also include Dare County Department of Social Services, Dare County Transportation, Seaside Vacation Rentals, Southern Bank KDH, and Outer Banks Hospital.

Outer Banks Hospital has 8 trained volunteers available on call 365 days a year to respond when needed and sit with patients who have Dementia. This support allows care givers to step away for a meal or simply rest, and it also helps people who arrive without a care giver and need additional supervision.

Dementia Friendly Training

Any business or organization that wants to take part can access the training. It is FREE of charge and can create meaningful positive results for customers, employees, and the wider community.

Author

Gail Hutchinson is a member of Dare County's Dementia Task Force and Victim's Advocate at Dare County Sheriff's Office.