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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Dementia Friends USA is part of a global movement that is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. Developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom, the Dementia Friends USA initiative is administered by Dementia Friendly America. The vision of Dementia Friends is that 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.

There are lots of ways to get involved with Dementia Friends, whether you have a lot of time to give or a little:

  •     Become a Dementia Friend by completing the online session.
  •     Become a Dementia Friend by attending a live interactive session in your area.
  •     Volunteer as a Dementia Friends Champion and inspire others to learn a little more about dementia and how they can help - through big actions and small actions - those living with dementia in their communities.

Absolutely! A Dementia Friend or Dementia Friends Champion is someone who has a better understanding of dementia; will know how to act more sympathetically towards people with dementia in their communities and workplaces; and has committed to taking a practical action to help people with dementia, contributing to a dementia friendly community. From telling friends about the Dementia Friends program to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts.

Dementia Friends is not a befriending initiative. Dementia Friends and Dementia Friends Champions should not be seeking relationships with people with dementia outside the relationships that they already have.

We encourage all types of organizations from large to small across the private and public sectors to roll out Dementia Friends to their workforce by offering a live session for their workplace or suggesting they participate in an online session. To offer a live session for your workplace, contact your state Dementia Friends lead for more information.

To find out more about starting a Dementia Friends program in your state, visit the State Licensure page

A Dementia Friends Champion is a volunteer who goes through a training that prepares them to encourage others to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in their community. A Dementia Friend Champion can lead a live Dementia Friends session that gives people information about the personal impact of dementia, and what they can do to help.

To learn more about becoming a Dementia Friends Champion, contact the Dementia Friends program in your state.