ACTING TOGETHER: GOALS PRIORITIZATION PROCESS

Most communities prioritize their shared goals and decide what they will do to act together in a community-wide meeting. You won’t be able to do everything or work on all the priority goals so your community meeting will help you narrow what you can really undertake as a community. Below are steps that can help you decide on the action you will take:
1.
Before the community meeting make a list of the priority action areas that were generated from your community assessment.
2.
To help your group think about what they might want to undertake as a community in each of the priority goal areas, beside each possible goal area, list out possible responses/actions/programs that the community might consider to take action in the priority goal area. You can do this by looking at suggested actions from your assessments and adding actions that are on the ACT on Alzheimer’s website. (See
Appendix for Examples).
3.
During the meeting, have community members self-select into goal areas, review the possible responsive actions and select their top 1-2 actions using the prioritization criteria below (directions for small group work is also listed below).
4.
Bring the full group back together to report on their 1-2 top recommended actions and then have the full group identify 2-3 that “rise to top,” again using the prioritization criteria below (prioritization in the full group is best accomplished by asking each person to look at the criteria and the top “candidates” for action and place a mark/sticker on the one action they feel best meet the prioritization criteria).
5.
The highest priority actions selected by the group will be the foundation of a work plan and budget for seed funding (your group may be able to take on more than 1 depending on size and scope).
SMALL GROUP ASSIGNMENT DURING THE MEETING
1.
Review the Priority Area
2.
Review the Possible Actions and Resources in your Priority Area
3.
Discuss additional Actions and Resources.
4.
Add to flip chart.
5.
Using the prioritization criteria, identify 1-3 priority actions that your group feels best meet the criteria and ask someone in your group to be ready to present them to the full group.
PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA: a.
The idea seems doable (we have the right people and resources to make it work in a year or less) b.
It is a good fit for the Cambridge community c.
It would make a meaningful difference for the community d.
It is affordable (can be done on a limited budget)

APPENDIX:
Example Priority Areas and Possible Actions/Resources
Priority Area
Caregiver Supports
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Increase awareness and provide education about available caregiver supports and resources for community members and family caregivers

Increase awareness among professional organizations and service providers including identifying
Possible Actions and Resources
* indicates proposed action items by Survey team members
Remaining items are proposed by ACT.
*Write a series of monthly articles for the Guest Column section for the local paper, the Isanti County News. The topics would range from: Introducing the
ACT on Alz to our community to the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's and to a number of other options as it pertains to the Cambridge ACT on Alz's group.
Each sector would take a month to write an article. strategies in how to work together and refer when appropriate

Lack of respite and adult day *Identify resources to create an adult day program
Local Government
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Increase awareness of AD among local government staff.

ACT Cambridge sponsors community resource sharing events and/or electronic forums with representation from local organizations that offer services for people with dementia and their families
*Offer training for City staff, Police, Sheriff, EMS on Alzheimer’s disease and how to communicate with persons living with the disease
*Display brochures at the police office
*Provide bracelets ($500) for individuals that may wander
*Become involved in Project Lifesaver http://www.projectlifesaver.org/
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For city planners include planning best practices i.e. disaster planning for persons with dementia.
Increase dementia awareness and knowledge in the community
 Increase community members’ knowledge about the warning signs of dementia

Raise awareness of organizations (Senior LinkAge
Line and Alzheimer’s
Association) that can assist with locating support services for people with dementia

Increase community members’ skills for interacting
*Create a website, a one-stop shop for dementia information for citizens of
Cambridge
 Cambridge ACT works with the Alzheimer’s Association or other partners to sponsor a dementia “friendly” initiative offering forums and trainings to businesses and other community service organizations regarding dementia friendly skills (e.g., banks, stores, hair stylists/barbers, faith communities, legal and financial planning profession)

Priority Area Possible Actions and Resources
* indicates proposed action items by Survey team members
Remaining items are proposed by ACT. with people with dementia and making referrals for support services
Health Care Community

Provide training in early detection, assessment and treatment
Employer

Increase business owners/employees knowledge about the warning signs of dementia

Raise awareness of services and organizations that can support persons with AD and caregivers

Increase business owners/employees skills for interacting with people with dementia

Cambridge ACT hosts on ACT on Alzheimer’s training to health care providers and community based organizations
 Cambridge ACT works with the Alzheimer’s Association or other partners to sponsor a dementia “friendly” initiative offering forums and trainings to businesses and other community service organizations regarding dementia friendly skills (e.g., banks, stores, hair stylists/barbers, faith communities, legal and financial planning profession)
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Disseminate ACT on Alzheimer’s employer resources

Priority Area
(listed in order of votes from 9/12/13 meeting)
1.
Increase dementia awareness and
3.
a.
Increase community members’ b.
Raise awareness of organizations c.
knowledge in the community knowledge about the warning signs of dementia that can assist with locating longterm support services for people with dementia
Increase community members’ skills for interacting with people with dementia and making referrals for support services
2.
Information and Education for
People with Dementia and their
Families a.
Provide non-medical information about services and supports available in our community
Training in early detection of dementia and caring for people with dementia a.
Healthcare staff b.
Caregivers
Possible Actions and Resources
*Bold/Italics indicates proposed action items by SPN ACT team on 9/12/13

Designate dementia capable businesses/organizations with a sticker.
(Alzheimer’s Speaks already has this kind of sticker.) We may want to replicate or do something different or SPN ACT specific. (Walker, MN did this).

Hand out resources including training on appropriate responses to individuals with dementia, visuals, body-language.
 Develop and implement a dissemination plan for dementia awareness for the community at large: St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, Business Associations.
(There is a pre-existing business case). Other audiences as identified
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PSA spots designed to help take away stigma of AD/OD.
 Faith communities education/support
 Organize program for cab drivers or other transportation providers to learn about dementia

Help community members to deal with elopement, lost people. Train people to spot these folks e.g., “Safe Return” or “Amber Alert.” o SPN works with the Alzheimer’s Association or other partners to sponsor a dementia “friendly” initiative offering forums and trainings to businesses and other community service organizations regarding dementia friendly skills (e.g., banks, stores, hair stylists/barbers, faith communities, legal and financial planning profession)
Resource: http://www.actonalz.org/node/103
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Package resources at time of diagnosis. o Simple package (not complicated) o Could be given out at health fairs, the State Fair, information forums, i.e., Meeting of the Minds (6-month point), libraries, pharmacies,
TARGET, barber shops, to Meals on Wheels drivers o Include supports for caregivers in the packets o Include culturally appropriate materials o Pre-existing packages do exist (Alzheimer’s Association)
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SPN sponsors community resource sharing events and/or electronic forums with representation from local organizations that offer services for people with dementia and their families
Resources: http://www.actonalz.org/caregiver-supports http://www.actonalz.org/node/101
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Trigger tool to get doctors to screen for AD. Would empower anyone to ask their primary care physician for screening. Purpose would be to detect the disease and support: “check up from the neck up.”

Create SPN ACT specific signs list, based on Alzheimer’s Association’s “10 Signs.”
How do we distinguish between normal aging, dementia, and mental illness

AD/OD people-focused, educational classes in city Community Education booklets.
 Offer support groups for caregivers at targeted locations.
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Disseminate best practice tools of the Alzheimer’s Association. Share them with organizations, clinics.

Eli Lilly sponsors Community Conversations. This foundation might help sponsor a community education conversation on dementia.
 Cross-organizational communication forums or methods. Link clinical with community o SPN Action Team hosts “lunch and learn” or other forums for providers in St. Paul

4.
Increase meaningful activities for people
with dementia a.
Living outside of a formal care setting b.
Independence at Home Services area to learn about tools (training presented by ACT clinical participant) o SPN Action Team requests MMA to include Alzheimer’s care into educational offerings and/or regional hot topics sessions o SPN hosts a community conversation about detection and its value Action Team members reach out to local clinics and share provider tools
Resource: http://www.actonalz.org/provider-practice-tools
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Educate on what to do first

Partner with various organizations “to do.” o Silver Sneakers or other exercise programs, Kairos Alive!, other.

Resource guide for software programs

Build on existing organizations access to people and add meaningful activity (Meals on Wheels, etc.)
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Use packaged resources (artist toolkit for caregivers) o SPN sponsors an event that gives organizations currently offering meaningful activities for people with dementia an opportunity to share details about their programs to members of the community that might participate in their programming. o SPN offers opportunities for St. Paul Community Education with guidance from the Alzheimer’s Association to brainstorm ways to incorporate meaningful activities for people with dementia into their current program offerings to seniors in the community. o SPN offers opportunities for St. Paul Parks and Recreation with guidance from the Alzheimer’s Association to brainstorm ways to incorporate meaningful activities for people with dementia in their current program offerings to seniors in the community. o SPN offers opportunities for St. Paul Faith Communities with guidance from
5.
6.
Transportation options
Increase Wellness Programs and Risk
Reduction Programs a.
b.
Increase referrals to programs
Increase level of resources the Alzheimer’s Association to brainstorm ways to incorporate meaningful activities for people with dementia in their current program offerings to seniors in the community.
Resources: http://www.actonalz.org/meaningful-activities http://www.minnesotahelp.info
http://www.actonalz.org/independence-at-home
 Create Localized package of transportation options
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Education for people who provide transportation (public and private) for persons with AD and their caregivers

Replicate Car donation, volunteer drivers, tax deduction idea from
Southern California
 Partner with the Hartford for resources on “giving up the keys”
 Disseminate information on Alzheimer’s Association driving resource website

Utilize cab companies- offer training and info for cab drivers. o SPN Action team works with City of St. Paul to include in City strategic planning process
Resources: http://www.actonalz.org/node/109 http://www.minnesotahelp.info
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Publicize/educate on resources that already exist. Replicate. Partner with existing organizations to create new programs: o “Living Well” at JCC in St. Paul o Memory Club

7.
c.
Tailor to those with dementia living outside of a formal care setting
Improve dementia-related resources tailored to our diverse populations
8.
Increase the level of living options for people with dementia a.
Those requiring full public assistance b.
Increase funding for Medical Assistance
(and Elderly Waiver) c.
Increase residential setting options d.
Improve policies and ordinances to allow for housing developments for people with dementia
9.
Improve our community’s contingencies for people with dementia in its disaster planning o The Gathering
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Create new resources& wellness programs
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Piece existing smaller programs together to help an individual

General information on what to do
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Partner with arts organizations who work with individuals with memory loss

Partner with senior centers
 Community Network Support System. Neighborhood-based, e.g., “Beacon
Hill” idea in Boston

SPN sponsors an event that gives organizations that offer Wellness and Risk
Reduction programs for people with dementia an opportunity to share details about their programs to members of the community that might participate in their programming.

SPN offers opportunities for St. Paul Community Education with guidance from the Alzheimer’s Association to brainstorm ways to incorporate
Wellness and Risk Reduction Programs for people with dementia into their current program offerings to seniors in the community.
 SPN offers opportunities for St. Paul Parks and Recreation with guidance from the Alzheimer’s Association to brainstorm ways to incorporate
Wellness and Risk Reduction Programs for people with dementia in their current program offerings to seniors in the community.
 SPN offers opportunities for St. Paul Faith Communities with guidance from the Alzheimer’s Association to brainstorm ways to incorporate Wellness and Risk Reduction Programs for people with dementia in their current program offerings to seniors in the community.
Resources: http://www.actonalz.org/wellness-programs-and-risk-reduction
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First test in East Side St. Paul --work with ACT Cultural/Linguistic Advisory
Committee to support St. Paul toolkit effort in diverse community(ies)

As we move forward, we need to include diverse communities in all our work

Alzheimer’s Association has information on diversity, different cultural groups, etc.

Some information related to this topic is already on the ACT website

Culturally appropriate materials should be included in informational packets (see Information/education priority area) o SPN invites members of diverse communities to sponsored events.
Resource: http://www.actonalz.org/node/104

Develop messaging. Have an active voice at the policy level (legislature).
Ex: address need for AD friendly facilities.
 Be a part of the City of St. Paul’s planning process to include living options o for people with dementia
SPN Action team partners work with long term care associations to develop housing option proposals
Resource: http://www.actonalz.org/node/108

SPN Action team works with City of St. Paul to include contingencies for people with dementia in city disaster planning

Bring in the Red Cross as a partner
Resource: http://www.actonalz.org/node/108