Community Changes Everything

An estimated 60% of people with dementia are living in the community. Our communities can become more inclusive and accessible for people living with dementia and their care partners. Find out how you can be part of the solution.

Dementia Friends

Our dementia friendly initiatives focus on empowering and engaging individuals and our communities of all types and sizes to become more dementia friendly by learning about dementia, reducing stigma, and building understanding.

We help individuals and communities learn more about dementia and understand how to become more supportive, accessible and inclusive for those affected by it.

You can help by becoming a Dementia Friend and getting your community involved in becoming more dementia friendly.

Dementia Friends

Building Dementia Friendly Communities…One Friend at a time!

A Dementia Friend learns more about dementia and what they can do to help make their community a more accessible and inclusive place for those experiencing dementia.

Anyone can become a Dementia Friend.

By learning more and using this knowledge in their everyday interactions, Dementia Friends help reduce stigma and make our communities more supportive, accessible and inclusive for people affected by dementia.


Sign up today!

 

Dementia Friendly Communities

Dementia friendly communities are welcoming to people with dementia, support them to live well, and engage them meaningfully in everyday life.

Our vision is that by becoming involved in dementia friendly efforts, communities of all types and sizes will better understand that a person with dementia may experience the world differently and will be able to use this knowledge to increase support, inclusion, and accessibility in their social and physical environments.

A dementia friendly community focuses on stigma reduction so that people living with dementia feel supported to participate and contribute in meaningful ways. Dementia friendly communities promote locally based supports and address barriers experienced by individuals living with dementia and their care partners.

The term “community” can refer to geographical parameters but also includes groups of people gathered around shared interests or features. This means that cities and towns can become dementia friendly, as can organizations, a book club, a business, a local coffee shop, a faith-based group, or a grocery store.


Dementia friendly communities are defined by both their social and physical characteristics and incorporate multiple dementia friendly considerations. The actions taken to incorporate dementia friendly considerations will be unique based on each community’s characteristics, capacity, and realistic goals.


Ways your community can become involved

  • Discuss your community’s dementia friendly goals and sector-specific information that can help you to create your action plan.
  • Request your copy of the toolkits, checklists, tip sheets and other online and print resources that can assist you in identifying potential changes or improvements.
  • Ask about presentation opportunities that may help your community to better understand dementia and how to support people affected by it. 

 

To find out more contact:

Erica Zarazun
Public Awareness Coordinator
[email protected]

Public Awareness

We help individuals and communities learn more about dementia and understand how to become more supportive and inclusive for those affected by it through our dementia friendly initiatives. By learning more, you can make a difference in your community.

Learn more
A group of people of mixed ethnicities posing after an outdoor exercise class.

Dementia-Friendly Canada

By the end of the decade, almost one million Canadians will live with dementia. The impact of dementia is and will continue to be felt across all borders, sectors and cultures. We must act and build a dementia-friendly Canada now.

Learn more

Dementia Helpline

Our Dementia Helpline is here to answer your questions.
Call 1-877-949-4141, Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm CST.

Learn more
A woman who is talking on the phone. She is smiling and looks relieved.

What is a Dementia Friendly Community?

Saskatchewan
February 5, 2024

Community changes everything. Dementia friendly communities promote locally based supports and address barriers experienced by individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Read on to learn how you can support building dementia friendly communities.

Learn more
A grocery store cashier smiling while helping a happy looking female customer.

Friendly Communities Healthy People

Saskatchewan
June 19, 2023

Recreational and community centres are a foundation in our communities. They increase socialization and quality of life for many, including people living with dementia and their care partners. Read on to learn the benefits to dementia friendly programming and environments within these facilities.

Learn more
people outdoors exercising