Dementia Friendly Linn County hosts Parking Lot Party on June 20

Event launches initiative as Linn County joins Dementia Friendly America network

Members of the public are invited to learn more about dementia and kick off the official launch of Dementia Friendly Linn County at a Parking Lot Party from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 20 at The Chris & Suzy DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia (9000 C Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids).

Join Dementia Friendly Linn County for this fun, hands-on event; meet and learn from people living with dementia and their care partners; visit more than 20 tables loaded with experiences and information about dementia; listen to the University of Iowa’s Steel Drum Band; and purchase food from Loosies and The Freeze food trucks.

The overall goal in becoming a dementia-friendly community is to reduce the stigma regarding dementia and help residents feel more comfortable interacting with people living with dementia. 

“We are thrilled that our community has achieved this milestone,” said Kathy Good, director of The Chris & Suzy DeWolf Family Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia. “Many individuals have been involved in our work to date toward becoming dementia-friendly. As each sector of our community takes its own steps to foster support for this cause, we will collectively become more informed, safe, and respectful for those living with dementia and their care partners.”

The Parking Lot Party is made possible through generous contributions from Barb Young and Conveyor Engineering.