Memory Matters' Purple Angel Kite Initiative Soaring

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C., Oct. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Less than a year after launching its local initiative to create a dementia-friendly community, Memory Matters has conducted free, on-site sensitivity training courses at 42 businesses to more than 903 employees.

The success of The Purple Angel Project has garnered Memory Matters Executive Director Edwina Hoyle an invitation to Washington, D.C. to address the National Policy Council of AARP in October.

An award-winning Beaufort County, SC organization that provides day care and support services to dementia sufferers and their caregivers, Memory Matters is one of the first organizations in the United States to join forces with The Purple Angel program, an international movement to make our world dementia-friendly.

Through the local initiative, The Purple Angel Project, Memory Matters provides free, on-site sensitivity training on dementia-related issues to Beaufort County businesses and their employees. Businesses that complete the training are given a Purple Angel Kite decal to put on display.

"Ten million baby boomers will fall victim to the disease," Hoyle said recently. "The rapid growth of the aging population – the median age in Beaufort County is 56 – has given rise to a host of dementia-related issues in our community. The Purple Angel kite personalizes our community's unique position as a major retirement destination."

Created by Norman McNamara from Torbay, England, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia in his 50s, The Purple Angel has been adopted internationally as a symbol of dementia awareness, action, and support.

"One of the most important things brought to light during our training was how to interact with someone you suspect may be suffering from dementia," said Raymond James Financial Advisor, Craig Gilmore. "I encourage every business in the area, especially those in the service industry, to go do the training." 

Businesses that have participated in The Purple Angel Project and those slated for training include:

All Saints Episcopal Church

Beacon Insurance

Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

Beaufort Memorial

Bloom at Belfair

Bluffton Pharmacy

Bluffton Police Department

Bluffton Self Help

Bluffton Sun

Boys Arnold & Company

Brookdale Hilton Head Court

Coastal Home

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

CSA, Sea Pines Plantation

Estate Planning and Elder Law Center

Faces Day Spa

Faces Lash Studio

First Presbyterian Church

First Rate Concierge

Hargray

Hilton Head Hospital

HomeHelpers

HomeInstead Senior Care

Hospice Care of American (HHI)

Hospice Care of the Low Country

Hudson's Seafood Restaurant

Hilton Head/Bluffton Chamber

Integrative Pain Relief

Island Improvements

Jan Williams with Edward Jones

June & Associates

Life Care Center of Hilton Head

Lord of Life Lutheran

Moss Creek

NHC Bluffton

Plantation Café

Pulse Productions, LLC

Raymond James

Right At Home

South Coast Medical Group

St. Luke's Church

St. Luke's Missionary Hospice

Summit Place

Three Sisters Resale & More

Tidewater Hospice

West Olivetti

Wexford Plantation

CONTACT: Susan Delano, 843-686-2228

SOURCE Memory Matters