Dementia inclusive
community updates

Every month for the last couple of years, Age-Friendly Chelsea has held an informational luncheon at which they hope to ensure accessibility, comfort, and that all members of the community feel welcome to attend. Quarterly, these meetings include presentations, one chapter at a time, of highlights from the book Pathways to Well-Being With Dementia. So far, three chapters have been outlined.

Last month, Age-Friendly Chelsea held a Valentine’s edition of this monthly event with special attention to accessibility and comfort for people living with dementia. The dining tables and individual settings were layered with appropriate Valentine’s-themed colors to make visual cues more comfortable. Doilies and flowers decorated the tables to elevate the sensory experience and highlight Valentine’s day. The attention to detail, down to the menu, was a big reason for this luncheon being so well received by the community.  

Age-Friendly Chelsea attempted to structure the meal in a way that both meets with dietary guidelines recommended for people living with dementia, and is familiar and comfortable for attendees. February’s menu featured roast chicken, stuffing with cranberries, broccoli, carrots, mashed potatoes and cauliflower, cranberry sauce, and sourdough bread. Dessert included both apple crisp and blueberry crisp, and chocolate-covered strawberries as another special Valentine’s day treat.

For communities that would like to host dementia-inclusive meals or incorporate dementia-inclusive elements into existing community meals, Sonya Bates, a Lifelong Fellow focusing on food security and dementia inclusion, is creating a dementia-inclusive dining guide. Stay tuned!