Chicago Tribune: Local Right at Home Owner Raises Awareness for Dementia

Right at Home franchisee Michael Steiner is the driving force behind Grayslake, Illinois' resolution to become a "dementia-friendly" municipality.

By 1851 Staff1851 Staff Contributions

SPONSOREDUpdated 5:17PM • 08/23/16

The Village of Grayslake has passed a resolution to become a "dementia-friendly" municipality, a movement started by the Alzheimer's Society in Great Britain.

Spearheading the local movement is Michael Steiner, owner of Grayslake's Right At Home, a senior home-care business, and Chris Damon, founder of Wadsworth-based CareSmart Illinois, a group that offers educational presentations to older adults.

"The statistics of people with dementia are staggering," Steiner said. "Dementia is a symptom of many different diseases, like Alzheimer's."

Sixty to 80 percent of dementia cases are linked to Alzheimer's disease, according to the association. The second largest cause is vascular dementia, which can occur after a stroke, followed by Lewy Bodies Dementia, which is associated with Parkinson's disease.

CareSmart Illinois recently taught Grayslake's firefighters and police officers about dementia.

"Our main focus is on education, and we work with family members and professionals," Damon said. "It started in Great Britain to keep people with dementia more involved in the community. It's better for the patient and better for the caregivers. Seventy to 80 percent of the people with dementia stay at home (because) they feel they can't do anything. Then isolation and depression sets in, and they just sit in front of the TV. People need to be doing all they can do. The goal is to keep them doing as much as they can and engaging in the community."

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Chicago Tribune: Local Right at Home Owner Raises Awareness for Dementia

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