Reducing the Stigma of Dementia

“Dementia.” Just mentioning the word can induce anxiety and fear.

Dementia, which has many types -- including Alzheimer’s, vascular and others -- is a general term used to describe loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.

In Pierce County, an estimated 20,000 people will be living with dementia by 2030. Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSN) is a regional social services agency based in Tacoma that serves Washington, Idaho and Oregon. The organization, which provides education, caregiver support and resources to the communities it serves, works to reduce the fear and stigma often associated with dementia.

Wendy Morris, Dementia Services Program Manager for LCSN, recently sat for a Community Care Conversation podcast with Elevate Health, during which she discusses strategies for spotting dementia, programs for those coping with it, and resources for caregivers.

“I try to erase the stigma and get people to understand what’s true versus what is a myth. It’s really about education,” Morris says. “People are living with dementia. They’re still people. They are equally alive and equally human. It doesn’t make them less of a person.”

Tune in to learn more about increasing dementia awareness, supporting caregivers and improving quality of life for those experiencing dementia.

Elevate Health Podcast, sponsored by Elevate Health and its subsidiary OnePierce Community Resiliency Fund, can be accessed at ElevateHealth.org, or on Spotify, Google Music, Audible, Amazon Music, IHeart Music, or other major listening platforms.