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DFT Highlights

About: Since its founding in 2018, the DFT Taskforce has been working to raise awareness about dementia in Topsfield, as well as support those in our community who are living with dementia and their care partners. Read about what the DFT Taskforce has accomplished to date below. 

1. Increased Awareness of Dementia

  • The DFT team began holding Dementia Friends Information Sessions in February of 2018.  Participants learn what dementia is, the top ten signs and symptoms of dementia, ways in which people can better communicate with those living with dementia, and local resources available to provide advice and support services.
  • Working with Masconomet administration, Maggie Chiffer, a DFT team member, gained commitment to incorporate a segment on brain health and dementia risk reduction into Masconomet’s sophomore year health curriculum.  Each year roughly 250 sophomores will receive this information.

2.  Provided Customer Care Training to Organizations and Businesses

  • The Topsfield Police Department attended Dementia training from the Alzheimer’s Association (AA) as part of a state-wide effort in 2017.
  • The Topsfield Fire Department received First Responder Dementia training from the Alzheimer’s Association in April 2018.  
  • Employees and volunteers in Topsfield’s Town Hall, Town Library and municipal departments received training from the Alzheimer’s Association in May 2018 to help them provide support and service to individuals living with Dementia.  

3.  Enhanced Availability and Awareness of Social and Support Services: Throughout 2018, DFT has provided marketing support to increase awareness of existing dementia support services in Topsfield including:

  • Rest-Stop-Ranch and its beautiful and therapeutic gardens on Rt 97 and the Topsfield Indoor Memory Café held at Town Hall in the winter (October through March) and at Rest-Stop-Ranch in the warmer months.  
  • DFT Team member, Maggie Chiffer, introduced a new and fun service in February 2018 to help with dementia risk reduction – a tap and rhythmic-movement dance class called Dance Out Dementia: Train Your Brain with the Beat of Your Feet. The class is designed for all levels and abilities with no experience needed.  Classes are held most Thursday afternoons between 3:00-3:45 P.M. in Public Hall at Town Hall. To date over 150 people have attended Maggie’s classes.
  • A high school student, Jessica Bermudez, created a new service in June called Furry Friends to address a need raised by a caregiver at a Dementia Information Session who mentioned that people living with Dementia are not able to own a pet.  In response Jessica started a service where she coordinates the attendance of therapy dogs at various events sponsored by Topsfield Council on Aging, the Topsfield Memory Café, and the local YMCA.