HOPE Dementia Support Group unveils new trail map in Ridgefield

The HOPE Dementia Support Group has a series of trail maps for people living with dementia and their families throughout Clark County. The organization recently created its third map of the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge.

HOPE Vice President Julie Donovan looks forward to unveiling the new map and bringing caregivers and their loved ones into the community.

“We had received an auction item for our last in-person fundraiser, and it was this card with a bunch of information for kids that made some of us ask, ‘How about we had something simple that people would empower with dementia and their families live to get around in nature a little easier?’” said Donovan. “From there we started working with some of the trail’s lead volunteers from Vancouver Parks and Recreation (Department), Super Nature Adventures and some of our own volunteers and talking about what it would look like and what it would take to do it different from other cards out there.”

Some of the factors they considered when designing the maps were proximity to bathrooms and accessibility for wheelchairs or walkers.

“It’s about allowing people to be outside and creating more security around that,” she said.

The organization’s first map was released just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Donovan said the trails have been successful. HOPE works with the Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of Southwest Washington for the maps, which also helps the organization promote the trails.

Based on the feedback, Donovan said they think the path is easy to follow. HOPE staff also made sure to include seating, picnic benches, elevation changes, and uphill or downhill gradients, thanks to feedback from families.

“It might not be a typical map key, but we wanted to make sure those items are included for the people who need them,” Donovan said.

The cards are hand-drawn, which she feels also makes them unique.

Bryna Campbell and Mike Murawski, the co-creators of Super Nature Adventures, also walked the trails to sketch the maps.

The back of the cards contain facts about the area, such as the types of trees found there and the sounds people can hear.

“Things like that really encourage being outside,” she said.

Although the map is tailored for dementia patients and their families, Donovan says they’re suitable for anyone wanting to explore the trails.

Other services HOPE offers include weekly online support groups for caregivers, and MaryAnn’s Babies, a doll or pet therapy aimed at improving the well-being of adults with dementia and related conditions. They also have activity boxes for patients in the hospital, rehab, or memory care that contain fidget toys, textured toys, and playing cards designed to ease anxiety and improve mood and communication in people with dementia. All of their programs, including the trail maps, are free.

Donovan said there are many forms of dementia, with the most well-known being Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia. Also, some people can have more than one type, she said. Although dementia is typically associated with memory loss, some forms of the disease, such as frontotemporal dementia, are more likely to begin with behavioral changes and changes in judgement.

According to 2021 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures, there are 120,000 people with dementia in Washington state. By 2025, the number is expected to increase to 140,000 people.

HOPE Walks Trail maps are available online at ho
For Alzheimer’s facts and figures, visit pedementiasupport.org/hope-walks-program-and-trail-maps and alz.org/media/documents/alzhei
mers-facts-and-figures.pdf.