Rianna Patterson Spearheading Dementia Advocacy and Support in Dominica
Rianna was motivated to initiate an awareness of dementia on the island after her grandfather passed away in 2013 . He suffered from dementia and Rianna witnessed first-hand the various stages of the disease as it progressed , which was a distressing period for her family , exacerbated by the insufficient support structures on the island to deal with the disease ’ s impact .
Many other families on the island were also experiencing the traumatizing effects of family members suffering from the disease . Determined to do something , Rianna founded the Dominica Dementia Foundation in September 2016 at the tender age of 18 . She has since then sourced and received support from regional and international organizations . Her Foundation , with members ranging from 15 - 65 years old :
. provides much-needed programs to raise awareness of dementia . facilitates dementia research . raises funds for families affected by the disease . provides emotional support to dementiaaffected families and caregivers
Being named a 2017 Queens Young Leader has resulted in increased visibility , on a national and regional level , for the work Rianna has undertaken . The prestigious Young Leader award recognizes and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth , who are taking the lead in their communities and who use their skills to transform lives . Rianna ’ s receipt of that award allows her to officially lend her voice to the other dementia advocacy and support groups throughout the Caribbean region and abroad . She is ably assisted in this task by a Board of Directors .
Rianna Patterson - a young leader and role model worthy of note !
For additional details on the work of the Dominica Dementia Foundation :
Email - dominicadementiafoundation @ gmail . com
Follow them on : Facebook - Dominica Dementia Foundation Instagram- DcaDementiaFoundation Twitter- DcaDemFound
Ms Dominica 2017 Jade Romain ( center ) and other panelists - on creating Dementia Friendly Communities in Dominica with
Some participants at an elder appreciation talk at Portsmouth Secondary School
Consensus meeting with Alzheimer Associations of the Caribbean
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