Dementia Friendly

Communities

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Desired Outcomes• Community and system capacity that enhances quality of life and

positive outcomes for people living with dementia and their care partners

Indicators• Increased quality of life • Increased community awareness of dementia• Increased dementia friendly business and financial practices• Increased access to community life and meaningful engagement

through dementia friendly services and supports• Increased rates of detection/diagnosis • Increased rates of advance planning • Reduced fraud and abuse

Dementia Friendly Community Goals

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What is a Dementia Friendly Community?

All sectors are informed, safe and respectful and foster quality of life(age vs. dementia friendly)

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Sector-Specific Dementia Friendly Practices

• Businesses• Community-based

supports• Faith communities• Health care community• Legal and financial

services• Local government• Residential settings

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1. Convene key community leaders and members to form an Action Team.

2. Assess current strengths and gaps within the community.3. Analyze findings to understand your community’s needs and

develop a plan to take action.4. ACT Together to pursue priority goals that foster community

readiness for dementia.

Dementia Friendly Community Process

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Communities in Action

32 Action Communities

Dementia Friendly America Pilot Communities

Santa Clara County, CA

Phoenix, AZ

Denver, CO

Knoxville, TN

Prince Georges County, MD

West Virginia

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Communities in Action

• Dementia Friends awareness and education program

• Business, clinical, government, law enforcement, youth, first responder and faith trainings

• New caregiver supports, respite and trainings

• New meaningful engagement opportunities for persons living with dementia (e.g. arts)

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Desired Impact: Is There a Finish Line?

Community Capability:Adoption of dementia friendly practices within and across all community sectors (e.g., faith, business, government, health care)

System Capability:Adoption of optimal dementia care and supports in health, long term care and community services

Person with Dementia—Well-Being

Care Partner Efficacy

Care Partner Support and Family Health

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Ontario Update

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•What have you heard about dementia friendly communities that most resonates with you?

•What seems ripe for action in your specific community?

•What big questions or concerns do you have?

Discussion Questions

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Lunch Break

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Community Readiness and Convening

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Foundation for Community Toolkit

Informed by research regarding stages of community readiness and engagement• Initiate mobilization• Establish organizational

structure• Build capacity for action• Plan for action• Implement• Refine• Institutionalize

Leadersh

ip Structure

Action

Outcomes

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1. Convene key community leaders and members to form an Action Team.

2. Assess current strengths and gaps within the community.3. Analyze findings to understand your community’s needs and

develop a plan to take action.4. ACT Together to pursue priority goals that foster community

readiness for dementia.

Community Toolkit

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Pre-Convening and Convening

Community Development Steps

Identify Champion and Coordinator

Readiness and Commitment Check

Convene Cross-Sector Action Team

Foster Contributions and Agreements Across Partners

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Champion Role

Champion

Convene

Guide Planning

Coordinate or Secure Coordination Function

Serve as Hub for Communication

Help Sustain Momentum

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Readiness Check Questions

• Does your community have an influencer/champion who is willing to endorse and kick off an action team?

• Has your community shown an interest in dementia or other community health initiatives in the past?

• Does your community have an existing coalition or an organization that might serve as a sponsor or convener for building an action team?

• Do you anticipate that your team would be willing to commit to a 18 month-2 year community effort?

• Would your action team be prepared to collect information regarding progress on established goals?

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Establishing Communities

Community Commitment

Secure Champion Organization and Coordination

Assure Connections b/n Health System, Community, and Public Sector Partners

Foster Adoption of Dementia Friendly Practices and Change Goals

Track Progress

Implement Community Tool Kit Process if Appropriate

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Action Team

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What Happens After Convening?

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Assess Phase: Actions Needed

•Define your community

•Determine who to survey and who will survey

•Target sectors

•Include diverse populations

Sectors:• Adult day• Caregiver support providers• Employers/businesses• Health providers• Legal and financial planners• Local government• Residential settings• Social service agencies• Transportation• Faith communities

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Analyze Phase: Planning for Action

Look for High Priority, Low Activity areas of need

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ACT Together

• Dementia Friends awareness and education program

• Business, clinical, government, law enforcement, youth, first responder and faith trainings

• New caregiver supports, respite and trainings

• New meaningful engagement opportunities for persons living with dementia (e.g. arts)

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•Looking at readiness criteria, does our community feel ready?

•Where do we feel we are equipped to move forward?

•What do we need most to move forward?•What are we most worried and excited about?

Discussion Questions

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Next Steps Planning