Brookhaven City Council discusses dementia awareness
Brookhaven, Ga, Feb. 19, 2020 – The Brookhaven City Council addressed the important topic of mental health, specifically dementia and its impact on the community at large, at the Feb. 11 work session meeting.
“This is an opportunity for us to listen and then learn what we can do as a community to help those afflicted with dementia,” said Mayor Pro Tempore Joe Gebbia. “We’re looking at instituting programs that will enhance the quality of life for not only those affected, but their families as well.”
Dr. William Hu, Associate Professor of Neurology at Emory University, and Robin Andrews Smith, MA, a family transitions coach, aging and dementia advocate, made the presentation to the Mayor and City Council.
“There are 47.5 million people living with dementia worldwide, and 15 million Americans [family members] provide unpaid healthcare to persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and forms of dementia,” said Andrews Smith.
Andrews Smith estimated that there are 140,000 persons in Georgia diagnosed with dementia in 2018 and expects that number to grow to 190,000 by 2025. Andrews Smith estimated more than 8,000 DeKalb County residents are living with dementia.
“In the City of Brookhaven, it is estimated there are 800 residents living with dementia. That may not seem like a lot, but if you take into account how many people [in one’s immediate social circle of family, friends and network], we may be talking about 16,000 people this disease [of dementia] will affect,” said Dr. Hu. “The goal is to become a lead influencer and catalyst for change.”
The City Council directed the administration to explore best practices of other municipalities to ensure that City employees are aware and trained in best practices in servicing customers with dementia.
“This is a problem that needs to be discussed and brought out into the open as it affects the quality of life for many of our citizens and residents in our great city. I am very proud of my fellow Council members for unanimously supporting increasing the awareness and developing training for City employees concerning this important topic.,” said Council Member Gebbia.
