IU Health Paoli Hospital is a cornerstone of care for Orange County and the
surrounding communities, and the team is determined to provide the excellent
whole-person care their patients deserve.

Recently, they’ve partnered with the IU Health Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Resource Service (ADRS) for training to better support individuals living with
dementia.

“IU Health Paoli Hospital is passionate about providing care in our
community,” says Sara King, MSN, RN, IU Health Paoli Hospital Clinical Director
of Operations. “We want to reduce the stigma surrounding living with dementia
and create an environment where everyone can feel valued and respected.”

The ADRS training covers education about dementia, how to communicate with
someone living with dementia, how to create an inviting environment for these
individuals and more.

IU Health Paoli Hospital was recently awarded a Dementia Friendly
Designation for their efforts, which the team was excited to celebrate, as
shown in the photos below.

When an organization commits to being dementia friendly, it’s also
contributing to making the surrounding community more dementia friendly. That
goal is more important than ever, with the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) reporting about 5.8 million people in the United States living
with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. That number is expected to
increase.

Additionally, a 2022 study found the risk has increased for rural
areas.

IU Health Paoli Hospital will continue its efforts to help those living with
dementia by training all new hires within their first 90 days of employment so
they can contribute to making this place of healing dementia friendly.

“With this effort, the hospital will ensure at least 50% of their staff are
trained at all times,” says ADRS Network Director and Positive Approach to Care
(PAC) Trainer, Shelly Gilbert. “Additional trainings such as the Virtual
Dementia Tour are made available at least quarterly and by request.”

Steps like this are important for contributing to communities where
individuals living with dementia feel comfortable and welcomed, and IU Health
Paoli Hospital is proud to be part of this goal.