As Alzheimers grows, cities work to earn dementia-friendly status [Video]

Saline and Rochester, Mich., are two of about 350 communities in 43 states to earn the distinction. New York has two dementia-friendly municipal programs in Erie County and New York City. The western New York program is particularly strong, with Erie County as the lead organization for programs and events in eight western NY counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming. Programs include managing early stages of dementia, helping with legal issues and finding community resources.

“We help with all their needs moving forward,’’ said Andrea Koch, director of education and training for the Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, which oversees the Erie County-based program, which offers a variety of support groups and social events. “As things change and the disease progresses, we’re here with them every step of the way.’’ 

In East Buffalo, a predominantly African American support group launched across the street from the Tops Friendly Markets supermarket, where 10 Black people were killed in a May 2022 mass shooting. One of the victims was …