Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the City of Whitewater.

Deb Weberpal recently honored the First United Methodist Church for being the first Dementia-friendly church in Whitewater.

Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, Inc.’s mission is to provide a safe haven that will allow those with dementia and Alzheimer’s to live as independently as possible. A dementia friendly community is where individuals with dementia live good lives, continue to be part of their community, are met with understanding, and are given support where necessary. This enables those with dementia to safely find their way around the community, access local facilities that they are used to and are known and maintain their social networks as they continue to feel they belong. It eases the fear and isolation associated with dementia and increases access to the resources people need to live well with dementia. It is also treating the person with dementia with dignity and respect. They did not ask for this disease.