There are 220,000 people in Illinois living with dementia due to Alzheimer’s Disease. By 2025, that number will increase to 260,000 people. The staggering number doesn’t even account for those affected by other types of dementia or cognitive impairment. AgeGuide is committed to building dementia friendly communities where everyone can thrive.

What is a Dementia Friendly Community?

A dementia friendly community takes action to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia, their caregivers, and their families. Decreasing stigma, raising awareness, educating, increasing opportunities for meaningful social interaction, and offering support to address the changing needs of those with dementia takes a continuous community-wide effort. Being a dementia friend is an aspirational goal that all community stakeholders — individuals, organizations, groups, governmental leadership, and law enforcement — can meet.

Interested in becoming a Dementia Friendly?

AgeGuide offers specific Dementia Friendly Trainings to address the unique needs of different types of community providers, businesses, and organizations (both for-profit and non-profit).

To start your Dementia Friendly journey, please visit this page for more details.

 

AgeGuide’s Role

Each Dementia Friendly Initiative is unique. Community leaders and their teams will lead the initiative. AgeGuide’s role is to provide 3–5 hours of initial support and resources including:

  • Providing Dementia Friendly Business Trainings
  • Educating businesses about dementia
  • Discussing the role of dementia friendly organizations
  • Explaining the value of being a dementia friendly community
  • Exploring communication strategies and best practices
  • Offering objective guidance and support
  • Assisting with high-level community outreach and education (Community leaders will provide the necessary grass roots, local-level outreach)
  • Facilitating discussion of community goals, action plans, objectives, and evaluations

For more support on becoming Dementia Friendly, please contact Sam Epps at (630) 785‑2616 or [email protected].

Additional Resources

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