Village of Hoffman Estates Commits to Becoming a Dementia Friendly Community

The Village of Hoffman Estates is proud to announce its commitment to becoming a certified Dementia Friendly Community through the Dementia Friendly America initiative. This effort is designed to make Hoffman Estates a more inclusive, supportive, and aware community for those living with dementia, as well as their families and caregivers.

Certification through Dementia Friendly America will help promote resources, services, and support for community members impacted by dementia aimed at improving their quality of life. This effort is being led by the Village’s Health and Human Services Department with support from certified dementia specialists from the Northwest Suburban Chicago office of Right at Home. 

Working toward dementia friendly certification in Hoffman Estates involves a four-phase approach:

Phase 1: Staff Training (Spring-Summer 2024)

Village staff and the Village Board began their journey this past spring and summer, engaging in specialized training offered by Right at Home to better understand dementia and the needs of residents affected by it. This training phase included equipping the Village’s workforce with essential knowledge and strategies to provide compassionate and effective support. 

Phase 2: Establishing a Community Committee (Fall 2024)

A Dementia Friendly Hoffman Estates community committee has been formed to evaluate services, programs, and additional support systems that could benefit those impacted by dementia. This committee, composed of partners from various community sectors—including Ascension St. Alexius Hospital, the Hoffman Estates Park District, the Hoffman Estates branch of the Schaumburg Township Library, the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce, local faith organizations and others—meets monthly to set priorities and structure the program. Their goal is to develop a holistic approach to enhancing dementia-friendly resources in Hoffman Estates.

Phase 3: Implementing Initiatives (Spring 2025)

The community committee will begin rolling out targeted initiatives in the spring of 2025, focusing on the development of dementia-friendly programs and resources. These efforts will help provide additional opportunities for people with dementia and their caregivers to have meaningful community engagement and support.

Phase 4: Ongoing Support and Evaluation (Quarterly Meetings)

Once the initial programs are underway, the committee will transition to quarterly meetings to sustain progress, evaluate effectiveness, and adapt initiatives based on feedback from those impacted by dementia.

As part of its mission, Dementia Friendly America aims to empower communities to take action by utilizing tailored resources across multiple sectors, including health care, local government, community services, faith-based organizations, and more. The commitment by the Village of Hoffman Estates aligns with Dementia Friendly America’s goals of:

• Raising awareness and transforming attitudes about dementia.
• Providing supportive options that foster quality of life for those affected.
• Supporting caregivers and families who are impacted by the disease.
• Encouraging meaningful participation in community activities for those living with dementia.
• Extending outreach to underserved community members impacted by dementia.

For more information about the Dementia Friendly Hoffman Estates committee efforts or to get involved, please contact Dr. Monica Saavedra, Director of Health and Human Services at 847-781-4866 or email Monica.Saavedra@vohe.org.