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Changing the Way We Think About Dementia

A recent Kaiser Health News article, "Changing the Way We Look at Dementia," highlighted the impact that dementia-friendly activities can have on individuals and communities. The article was written in anticipation of Kaiser Health News' recent live panel discussion, "Living Well with Dementia," which focused on improving care and services for people with dementia and their caregivers.

The article describes how the process of becoming a Dementia Friend changes an individual's perception of dementia. After completing a Dementia Friends in-person session, it isn't uncommon for participants to move from using words like “hopeless” to using words like “courageous” to describe the condition, said Stephani Shivers, who leads Connecticut's Dementia Friends initiative.

Dementia Friends USA, administered by n4a, is part of a global public awareness movement to change the way people think, act and talk about dementia. A Dementia Friend is someone who, after viewing a series of online videos or attending an in-person session, learns about dementia and turns that understanding into action. Help your community become dementia-friendly by spreading the word about Dementia Friends USA.

Become a Dementia Friend today!

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USAging Fact: Learn about your peers’ work—and how it can fit into your agency’s goals! The AIA Awards recognizes successful and innovative programs that USAging members have developed to serve older adults. Get inspiration from our 2023 winners!