Middleton leads the way with dementia-friendly businesses

Normally press releases from politicians do not merit editorial consideration. But one we got last week from State Representative Dianne Hesselbein of Middleton warrants that and more.

Representative Hesselbein recognized five local businesses for being Middleton’s first dementia-friendly businesses. What that means is the Middleton Walgreens, State Bank of Cross Plains, Ace Hardware of Middleton Springs, Fitzgerald’s Restaurant and Willy Street Co-op have all committed to having 50 percent or more of their employees complete dementia-friendly training offered by Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin.

In addition the businesses are looking into environmental changes that would aid customers with dementia or memory challenges according to Hesselbein.

It’s good business to be accessible to everybody, but as Alliance executive director Paul Rusk points out these efforts help folks “remain active in their community as long as possible, reduce the stigma families face and make it possible to reach out for help all families facing dementia deserve and need.”

Our congratulations to these five businesses for proving that proving doing good is part of doing well.