Become a Dementia Friend

Receiving a dementia diagnosis —either for oneself or for a loved one— is a life-changing experience. Right away, numerous questions and fears may arise: What will my future look like? How will I face this new reality? Will I have to depend on others?

In Puerto Rico, adults over 65 years old are the fastest growing segment of the population, as well as the most vulnerable to different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. However, our society is not ready to handle the challenges faced by this booming demographic nor to provide them with the many services needed by them and their caregivers.

An initiative to raise awareness

In the face of this reality, Triple-S and Asociación de Alzheimer (“Alzheimer’s Association”) joined efforts to launch the Dementia Friendsinitiative in the island. This effort seeks to raise awareness among different sectors regarding the challenges of living with dementia or taking care of someone who has it, as well as how to help diagnosed patients retain most of their independence and continue living in their communities.

Their endeavors are focused on coordinating and providing training workshops on how to recognize the symptoms of dementia and help patients go about their daily lives, be it at the doctor’s office, while visiting government facilities, at the supermarket or the bank, and even in their community at large.

“The goal of this initiative is to enable us, as a society, to help these patients live an independent life, with their dementia symptoms, for as long as possible,” said Dr. José Novoa, chief medical officer of Triple-S. Moreover, the doctor also explained that this initiative helps promote a better quality of life for these patients as well as a more inclusive society, while also preventing an excessive burden on the healthcare system.

The initiative started by training the doctors in the Triple-S network, as well as the company’s administrative personnel and employees. It has now reached out to other segments, including the healthcare system, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and businesses such as banks, supermarkets, and others that serve a large percentage of older adults.

“Dementia Friends began in England and has spread out around the globe. Our goal is for Puerto Rico to be recognized as a ‘Dementia Friendly’ country. With allies like Triple-S, we believe we can reach many of society’s sectors,” said Ana Gratacós, who spearheads this program in Puerto Rico and is also the vice president of Puerto Rico’s Alzheimer’s Association as well as a member of the board of directors of Federación Alzheimer Iberoamérica (“Ibero-American Alzheimer’s Federation”).

She added that all entities and individuals who complete the workshop will receive a certification and a pin that will identify them as Dementia Friends. “We believe this certification and sticker will help distinguish any doctor’s office, hospital, supermarket, or bank displaying it. This will be appealing and attractive to a public that is looking for spaces where people and families living with dementia will feel welcome rather than stigmatized,” Gratacós pointed out. 

The impact of dementia in Puerto Rico

According to Dr. Javier Parga, coordinator of Programa de Envejecimiento Saludable (“Program for Healthy Aging”) and the Alzheimer’s Center of the Health Department, the impact of dementia-related conditions in Puerto Rico is very serious since it affects not only the patients suffering it but also their caregivers.

Estimates show there are more than 80,000 people living with dementia in the island, out of which 60,000 have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease —the fourth leading cause of death in the country.

All individuals, groups, businesses, or communities interested in getting certified may email us at contigocuidadoradvantage@ssspr.com or call 787-749-4949, ext. 8322700.