5 Healthy Towns Dementia Friendly Initiative

Creating Communities Where Everyone Belongs​

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Yes, Dementia Friendly Services already offers free dementia friendly workshops to businesses and organizations throughout our region. But this initiative is about something bigger.

Thanks to a One Big Thing grant from the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, we have the opportunity to take that work further—reaching beyond individual businesses and organizations to help build a community-wide movement. We want to bring people together, raise awareness, reduce the stigma surrounding dementia, and encourage everyone to take simple steps toward making their communities more welcoming and supportive. And it takes all of us to make that happen!

 

What Is A Dementia Friendly Community?

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A dementia friendly community is one where people understand a little more about dementia and take simple steps to make everyday experiences easier. It might look like:

• A store employee who knows how to offer a little extra assistance.

• A restaurant that makes dining more comfortable for someone with memory loss.

• A church or community group that makes everyone feel welcome and included.

• A neighbor who understands that changes in someone's behavior may be related to dementia.

• Community activities that welcome people living with dementia and their care partners.

 

It doesn't require special expertise or expensive changes. It starts with understanding, patience, and a willingness to help.

 

How We're Making It Happen

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Dementia Friendly Services provides education, practical guidance, and support to help communities become more dementia friendly.

Dementia Friendly Workshops: Free, approximately one-hour workshops help businesses and organizations understand dementia and learn simple ways to make customers', members', and visitors' experiences easier and more comfortable. Each workshop is tailored to the organization, with practical suggestions participants can put into action right away.

Dementia Friends Information Sessions: Community members learn more about dementia and discover simple ways they can help. Anyone can become a Dementia Friend. No special experience or expertise is needed.

Community Connections: We're bringing together local businesses, organizations, community leaders, and residents to form Action Teams in each of the 5 Healthy Towns. Together, we can raise awareness, encourage participation, and create a more supportive community.

 

Everyone Has a Part to Play

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You don't have to be an expert on dementia to make a difference. Whether you're a business owner, community leader, member of an organization, or simply someone who cares about your community, there are many ways to get involved. Attend a workshop. Become a Dementia Friend. Encourage a local business to participate. Share what you've learned with a neighbor. Small steps, taken together, can make a big difference.

 

Join Us!

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Help make Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Grass Lake, and Stockbridge more welcoming communities for everyone affected by dementia. Interested in participating, bringing a workshop to your organization, or learning how you can help? We'd love to hear from you!