Dementia Friends Massachusetts

Dementia Friends is 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, Dementia Friends helps everyone in a community understand what dementia is, how it affects people, and how each of us can make a difference.

This program is currently available in English, Chinese, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. There is also a version in English for participants with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilties (I/DD), and I/DD providers, as well as for High Schools and for Jewish community organizations. For American Indian and Alaska Native communities, please visit the International Association for Indigenous Aging here.

Download the information flyer (English) (Arabic) (Simplified Chinese) (Traditional Chinese) (Haitian Creole) (Khmer) (Portuguese) (Russian) (Spanish) (Vietnamese)

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What is a Dementia Friend?

To become a Dementia Friend, you participate in a one-hour Dementia Friends Information Session offered by a Dementia Friends Champion. You will learn five key messages about dementia and a bit about what it’s like to live with dementia. As a Dementia Friend, you turn your new understanding of dementia into a practical action that can help someone with dementia living in your community. Your action can be as big or as small as you choose – because every action counts!
Attend an Information Session

What Happens at a Dementia Friends Information Session?

The one-hour Information Session is a face-to-face or virtual experience run by a Dementia Friends Champion. It is not a formal training. The session has activities and discussion that cover the five key messages everyone should know about dementia. Everyone who attends is asked to commit to a dementia-friendly action as part of becoming a Dementia Friend. 

Who are Dementia Friends Champions?

A Dementia Friends Champion participates in a Champions training. The Champion then facilitates a one-hour Dementia Friends session with friends, family, colleagues and the wider community. The goal of the Dementia Friends Session is to help community members understand dementia and the small things they can do to make a difference for people living with dementia.

*Register for a Champions Training by clicking here. To learn more about becoming a Champion, click here to watch a 5 minute video. If you have questions about Champion Training, please email bsoltzberg@jfcsboston.org