Dementia Friends
Changing the way we think, act and talk about dementia
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.
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 (link to events page later)
- Dementia Friends USA Trailer
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.
Volunteer as a Champion
As a Dementia Friends Champion you can facilitate one-hour Dementia Friends Information Sessions with friends, family, colleagues and the wider community.
A Dementia Friends Information Session covers the five key messages everyone should know about dementia and helps community members understand the small things they can do to make a difference for people living with dementia.
Are you interested in facilitating Dementia Friend information sessions in our community?
Step 1: Attend a Dementia Friend Session
Step 2: Attend a Dementia Champion Training. E-mail us at dementiafriends@smaaa.org to learn more.
You can find more information about the roles and responsibilities here: DF Champion Role and Responsibilities.pdf
Host a Dementia Session
Please use the form below to request a Dementia Friends Maine information session for your organization, group or community. Once we receive your request we will be in touch with any questions and next steps. Thank you for your interest in Dementia Friends Maine!
Request form here: https://smaaa.wufoo.com/forms/zvtaouw1lx1kf4/
Contact Us
E-mail Jodi Williams at dementiafriends@smaaa.org
