The Dementia Institute was created to expand access to training, care and support for those living with dementia, and those caring for them. Director Curt Gritters says founders recognized there’s a huge need that wasn’t being met.
“Often when someone is diagnosed with dementia, its hard to know where to go, whom to talk to, and there may be ten people on your list.”
With office and training space in southeast Grand Rapids, experienced professional staff will offer classes for family, friends, clergy, and the medical community.
“The hope and goal of the Dementia Institute is to provide a one-stop shop. So while we provide the training, classes and resources, we also partner with other organizations to offer respite or in-home care or in-facility care that is dementia-specialized.”
While many of the services focus on the person diagnosed with dementia, Gritters recognizes the people surrounding the patient need support too.
“Many of them are helping a parent or spouse and that needs a lot of help and support. If we can come alongside them with training and classes and support and respite for them, we want to help.”
Gritters says the Institute will offer a depth of resources not found anywhere else in the region and is part of a growing push for changes in how dementia is treated.
“There’s definitely a movement in the community to address dementia, reduce the stigma of it, and treat it early.”
It’s estimated there are 50,000 people living with dementia in West Michigan.
