Tuesday, March 27, 2018

San Marino: a Dementia Friendly City

How to help anyone with dementia and Alzheimer's

Thursday April 26, 7:00 pm

The City of San Marino, in partnership with Silverado, the Huntington Memory Care Community, signed a proclamation several weeks ago to become a Dementia Friendly City. The proclamation states, “The City will work with the dementia friendly community task force to create a community that addresses the needs of individuals living with dementia as well as their caregivers.”  The goal is to change how people with dementia are treated.

On Thursday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m., Zoila Castellanos, community ambassador from Silverado, the Huntington, along with Susan Howland from the Alzheimer's Association, will present a comprehensive overview of memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementias at Crowell Public Library.  Their goal is to educate the community on how to care and help residents with dementia through different resources.

Zoila Castellanos has 15 years of experience in the healthcare field. She started her career as a CNA where she found her passion in elder care. After completing her LVN program, she gained even more experience in both assisted living and memory care. Silverado is a dementia care provider that promotes community education and fosters an environment that eliminates the stigma often associated with dementia.  Susan Howland, MSG, is the Director of Education at Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles.  She is responsible for all educational programs and diversity efforts that include tailoring services to the cultural norms of ethnic communities.  Her work in the Asian and Pacific Islander communities has been recognized through multiple national awards.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the number of California residents with Alzheimer's disease will double by 2030, a figure that does not account for people affected by other types of dementia.  Already, 1.1 million Californians care for a loved one with dementia today, and nearly 60% of people caring for a person with dementia rate the stress as high or very high due to the physical and emotional toll. 

Learn more about these diseases and how to help at Crowell Public Library April 26th.