Inverness Flea Market vendors attended training on October 22nd to become certified as a Dementia Friendly business, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. The workshop was open to the public as well as the flea market vendors and was conducted by Coping with Dementia President Debbie Selsavage.
Coping with Dementia LLC was founded by Debbie after learning how to become a caregiver for her husband. She found it almost impossible to find information, support, and resources to deal with her difficult and exhausting task. Debbie entered the field of memory care when she took a job as an administrative assistant at an assisted living facility. She loved the work and within 18 months became a certified administrator, leading her own community to a Deficiency-Free rating.
Debbie became a Certified Trainer in Teepa Snow’s highly respected Positive Approach to Care program and in 2015 launched her own company, Coping with Dementia LLC. In addition to fee-based counseling and training services, Coping with Dementia LLC sponsors free workshops, conferences, and family caregiver support meetings.
As told by the Chronicle, flea market manager Cathy Johnson, who organized the training through Coping with Dementia, said, “In Citrus County, which has a large senior population that might be susceptible to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, we thought it important that we learn the skills of recognition and communication that could equip our vendors with a higher level of customer service.”
Inverness Flea Market is open every Friday and Saturday, year-round, from 7:30am to 2:00pm at the Citrus County Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds and buildings are rented for various activities in order to support the non-profit fair, who hosts the flea market. The Citrus County Fair Association is an organization of volunteers, providing scholarships and scholarship opportunities as well as agricultural, educational, and cultural pursuits for the community.
Inverness Flea Market is always welcoming new vendors and have spaces available to rent, both inside and outside. Each space is reasonably priced and tables are provided. There is also a snack bar on the premises and free parking. The flea market is located at 3600 S. Florida Ave. in Inverness, Florida.
For more information about Dementia Friendly business training and certification, call 352-422-3663 or go to www.coping.today.