Hy-Vee Partners with Dementia Friendly Iowa to Pilot New Awareness Program at Retail Locations

Hy-Vee in partnership with Dementia Friendly Iowa is proud to announce that the Waukee Hy-Vee and the Crossroads Hy-Vee in Waterloo will be the first to take part in a new awareness program at retail locations to assist those with dementia. The effort focuses on fostering a more inclusive and supportive shopping experience for individuals with the disease, their families and caregivers.

“The grocery store has become an incredibly challenging place for me as an individual living with Lewy Body Dementia,” said Kevin Dill, a Waukee resident and regular shopper at Hy-Vee. “Most people give me strange looks for the way I might appear due to my disease. This is why I decided to partner with Dementia Friendly Iowa and Hy-Vee to make lives easier for those who endure daily challenges doing normal everyday things with dementia-related diseases, like grocery shopping.”

After taking part in an employee training about dementia from Dementia Friendly Iowa, Hy-Vee implemented Dill’s innovative idea to make the shopping experience easier for people living with the disease, their caregivers and family members by designing specialized grocery cart signs that read “Please be patient. I am living with dementia.” The new awareness program will be piloted at the Waukee Hy-Vee and the Crossroads Hy-Vee in Waterloo. The signs, conveniently located next to the Hy-Vee shopping carts, can be easily attached to a cart to help employees and customers identify and support individuals who may require extra assistance during their shopping experience.

“At Hy-Vee, we want to ensure every customer feels welcomed and valued,” said Tina Potthoff, senior vice president of communications for Hy-Vee. “By partnering with Dementia Friendly Iowa, we want to further create a shopping experience where everyone can find what they need with ease.”

Hy-Vee plans to launch the program in additional stores throughout Iowa in the upcoming months. Other retailers who want to participate in the program are encouraged to contact Dementia Friendly Iowa. Email mzimmerman@nei3a.org or visit www.DementiaFriendlyIowa.com to learn more.