Health@Work E-tips for workplace wellness coordinators: Dementia

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Welcome to Health@Work's newsletter for worksite wellness coordinators who work in organizations located in Hennepin County. The purpose of Health@Work's monthly E-tips is to help you (the wellness coordinator) promote better health at your workplace. Please note that any reference to products or services in this newsletter is for educational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement on the part of Hennepin County Health@Work. 


Let’s talk about Alzheimer’s and dementia

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Studies confirm that a major worry for many adults is the fear of developing Alzheimer’s. Worksite wellness programs can address this worry by providing education and resources for understanding Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, as well as information on how to reduce risks. More than 100,000 Minnesotans have dementia or a related disorder. This number is expected to double by 2050, which will affect your employees; customers, clients, and those you serve; and family members.

 

The terms Alzheimer’s and dementia are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an umbrella term that describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills that is severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.

 

Take action by offering education, resources, and opportunities to get involved. You could:

  • Visit Act on Alzheimer’s to learn how Minnesotans are working together to become dementia friendly worksites and communities. You can also download a free one-hour training.
  • Establish a learning library or library corner on your internal newsletter that focuses on brain health. Promote each of the six pillars of brain health as a series.
  • View the TED Talk Alzheimer’s is a disease—and we can cure it to educate yourself and your employees; then provide ways to get involved. For example, consider participating as a group in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
  • Take a brain tour to learn more about dementia and Alzheimer’s, where to get help and support, or how to volunteer.

 

Growing evidence indicates that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline by adopting key lifestyle habits.” ~The Alzheimer’s Association

 

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Employee E-tips

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Click here to read this month's E-tips for your employees titled "Worried about memory loss?"

 

To share these E-tips with employees, you can:  

  • Email the E-tips document to your staff as an attachment. 1) Click the link to download and save the E-tips to your computer. 2) Add your organization's logo in the bottom left corner. 3) Then send it as an email attachment to staff. 
  • Print the document once you've added your organization's logo and post it in a common area in your workplace.
  • Copy and paste the text into your organization's newsletter.

 

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About us:

 

Hennepin County Public Health Health@Work offers a broad range of low- and no-cost workplace wellness programs and services to employers located in Hennepin County. For more information visit the Health@Work website


Contact us:


Linda Brandt, MPH

Senior Health Promotion Specialist

Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department

Public Health Promotion

linda.brandt@hennepin.us

 

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