"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust the sails"
-Dolly Parton
Dementia Friendly History and Board
History of Dementia Friendly
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Dementia Friendly communities began as a global movement developed by the Alzheimer's Society in the United Kingdom and now underway in the United States.
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Dementia Friendly America (DFA) began in September 2015 following the White House Conference on Aging and is based on Minnesota’s statewide successful initiative, ACT on Alzheimer’s.
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It is a multi-sector, national, collaboration of over 35 leading organizations that are catalyzing a movement, and set of best practices, to foster "dementia friendly" communities across the United States to improve opportunities and outcomes for a growing number of people with dementia, their families, and their care partners.
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In 2015 with pilot communities were started in Denver, CO; Prince George’s County, MD; Santa Clara County, CA; Tempe, AZ; and the state of West Virginia.
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Each Dementia Friendly community strives to:
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Raise awareness of, and develops respect and inclusion for, people with dementia
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Provide services and resources in all areas of the community to ensure meaningful access to community and promote quality of life
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Support and educate people with dementia, their care partners, and their families from diagnosis through disease progression, and
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Promote meaningful engagement in community life.
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Dementia Friendly America is an all-sector approach to providing services for individuals living with dementia and their families. We all have a part to play in creating a community where all people can live, age, and thrive.
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The goal is to make EVERY community member a “Dementia Friend.”
What is a Dementia Friend?
A Dementia Friend is a community member who has participated in the one-hour Dementia Friends Information Session offered by a Dementia Friends Champion*. People with dementia need to be understood and supported in their communities. You can help by becoming a Dementia Friend today.
The informational session provides education on:
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The five key messages about dementia,
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How the disease affects people,
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What it is like to live with dementia, and
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Ways we can make a difference in the lives of people living with the disease.
This allows the participant to then turn their understanding into meaningful action, no matter how big or small, in their community. Those who attend receive a certificate of completion, though the class is not considered formal training, and participants are asked to commit to a dementia-friendly action and can become a Dementia Friend.
*A Dementia Friends Champion participates in an in-person all-day training, that enables them to facilitate Dementia Friends Information Sessions for friends, family colleagues, and other community members. Those having completed the one-hour Dementia Friends Informational session are eligible to take the Dementia Friends Champion course.
Various ways community members demonstrate Dementia Friendly behaviors:
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Business and banks support customers with dementia by accommodating cognitive impairment.
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Law enforcement and first responders recognize signs of dementia and respond accordingly.
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Health care systems promote early diagnosis and connect individuals with community services.
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Faith communities are welcoming and have specialized programs, services, and accommodations.
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Local governments plan and implement housing, transportation, public spaces, and emergency response that enable people with dementia and care partners to thrive.
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Community members learn how to interact sensitively and create networks of support.
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Restaurants, grocery stores, and libraries offer services and supports that foster access and independence.
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Employers support employees who are caregivers through proactive personnel policies.
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Residential care and community services offer a range of resources to maximize independence and support ongoing community engagement.
Become a Dementia Friend!
Becoming a Dementia Friend is easy and takes less than an hour!
Fill out the registration form below to have a board member reach out to you about setting up this class or the Dementia Friends Champion course.
Meet The Board
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Dementia Friendly B/CS is composed of passionate advocates, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community members who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those impacted by dementia. Together, we work tirelessly to create a dementia-friendly community where everyone feels respected, supported, and valued.
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