Dementia Friendly Communities (DFCs) offer an approach to community engagement to improve the lives of people living with dementia and their family supporters. Programs generally focus on improving inclusion and quality of life for people with dementia. The involvement of those living with dementia is key to creating successful DFCs.

Deeper dive
According to Dementia Friendly America, “A dementia friendly community is one that is taking action to foster quality of life for people living with dementia and their care partners by decreasing stigma, increasing opportunities for meaningful social interaction, and offering support in addressing the changing needs of people living with dementia.”

The goals are to:

• Increase awareness and understanding among community residents about dementia
• Encourage people with dementia and their caregivers to seek help and support
• Help them feel included in their community
• Be more independent
• Have more choice and control over their lives.

The DFA Toolkit can help guide community leaders and stakeholders to adopt dementia friendly practices throughout their communities.

According to Alzheimer’s Society UK, many villages, towns and cities are already taking steps towards becoming dementia-friendly. For dementia-friendly communities to succeed, the views and opinions of people with dementia and their caregivers must be at the heart of any considerations or decisions.

Confidence was identified as a major barrier. A dementia-friendly community empowers people with dementia to have high aspirations and feel confident, knowing they can contribute and participate in activities that are meaningful to them. The Society has identified 10 key areas of focus:

• Involving people with dementia and their caregivers in in shaping communities
• Breaking down the stigma of dementia and increasing understanding of the disease
• Offering accessible and appropriate community activities
• Acknowledge positive contributions and potential those with dementia can make to their communities
• Ensure access to early diagnosis and post-diagnostic support.
• Provide practical support that allows people with dementia to engage in community life
• Support people with dementia wherever they live through community based solutions
• Provide consistent and reliable travel options
• Create or modify easy to navigate physical environments
• Promote respectful and responsive businesses and services that understand and help people with dementia conduct businesses.