Older adults dancing, singing at religious service, playing a game

Living, engaging and thriving in dementia-friendly communities.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease. More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for a family member or friend living with dementia.

Dementia Friendly America is committed to fostering community support for people living with dementia and their essential care partners so they can safely remain and continue to engage in the community.

DFA in Your Community

A dementia-friendly community is a village, town, city or county that is informed, safe and respectful of individuals living with dementia, their families and caregivers and provides supportive options that foster quality of life. Joining DFA means a community is engaging in a process to become more dementia friendly. Click here to learn more about Dementia Friendly Communities.

Dementia Friends USA

Developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom, the Dementia Friends initiative is underway in the USA, changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. By helping everyone in a community understand what dementia is and how it affects people, each of us can make a difference for people touched by dementia. Click here to learn more about Dementia Friends.

Dementia Friend in Cleveland Heights, Ohio

"I have been dealing with my reactions and self-management increasingly in dealing with my husband who probably has Lewy body dementia.  Dementia Friends provided helpful reminders of understanding. I was impressed, touched by, and pleased by the emphasis at the end on public education and increased integration/acceptance of people living with dementia."

Dementia Friend in Tulsa, Oklahoma

A Dementia Friends' response when asked, "What was your biggest takeaway?" “I can help people with dementia stay involved in the community.”

Dementia Friendly Illinois Community Member

“It means a great deal.  When my husband was diagnosed with dementia, I felt lost and didn’t know where to get help.  The Memory Cafe meetings were very valuable in supplying me with information and directing me to the right organizations or people that could help me.”

Dementia Friends Ohio Session Participant

I wish I would have had this information years ago, especially the communication tips.

Health/Pre-Health Profession Student at the University of Findlay

My grandmother had dementia and it makes so much sense now why she did what she did.

Dementia Friendly Cleveland Heights Community Member

Glad to have our church involved with Dementia Friends, this should be shown to other groups in the church!