Movement Underway to Make Tinley Park a Dementia Friendly Community

A movement has begun to turn the Village of Tinley Park into a Dementia Friendly community and the public is encouraged to become involved. The designation will prove Tinley Park is a place where people living with the disease and their caregivers can thrive. The status is awarded by Dementia Friendly America, a national network of localities, organizations and individuals seeking to foster such communities across the country.

The effort began with a recent meeting by representatives of the Village of Tinley Park Board of Trustees and the Tinley Park Fire, Police and Community Development Departments. Also participating were Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin, LeadingAge Illinois and leadership of Porter Place, the memory care community spearheading the initiative.

“One of every nine people age 65 and above has dementia and they need the world to better understand and embrace them,” said Porter Place Community Relations Director Bobbi Kelley. “We are championing this movement so they can engage in life more fully.”

Essential to attaining the Dementia Friendly designation is participation by a cross-section of the community, including business owners, people living with early onset dementia and those providing unpaid care to family or friends with the disease. To become involved or obtain more information, call Bobbi Kelley at 708-781-1050 or email: bkelley@anthemmemorycare.com.

Individuals shown in photo are (from left to right) Lewis McCoy, Anthem Memory Care; Colleen Kamin, Porter Place; Bobbi Kelley; Porter Place; Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin; and Jason Speaks, LeadingAge Illinois were among those participating in the initial meeting at Porter Place about turning Tinley Park into a Dementia Friendly community.