New Communities Continue to Join the DFA Network!

• By: USAging
• On: 10/11/2019 14:19:05
• In: Program Update

Charlotte Mecklenburg, NC

Dementia Friendly Charlotte Mecklenburg (DFCM) consists of organizations and individuals seeking to raise awareness about dementia while transforming attitudes to reduce stigma and barriers, create safe environments and improve quality of life for all who are living with dementia in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. The DFCM Steering Committee is comprised of diverse members, including government organizations, local universities, faith communities and dementia-specific associations. The initiative has been hard at work and has already developed a Dementia Friendly Business toolkit that helps local businesses to become certified Dementia Friendly Partners. 

Greenwich, CT

Age & Dementia Friendly Greenwich (ADFG) is a collaborative effort led by the Greenwich Commission on Aging and an Action Team that includes local government officials, key stakeholders, older adults, individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Projects underway include providing Dementia Friends sessions to all sectors of the community and working with the medical community to encourage early and accurate diagnosis of dementia. ADFG has 25 Dementia Champions who promote dementia awareness throughout the community with the goal of fostering an enhanced awareness of what it means to live with dementia—and how individuals can to help ensure that people living with dementia can live, engage, participate and thrive in the Town of Greenwich. Future projects include local certification of Age and Dementia Friendly Businesses and bringing Dementia Friends education to students in grades 6 through 12.   

Fairfax, VA

Dementia Friendly Fairfax (DFF) is the result of a partnership between Goodwin House Bailey's Crossroads and Insight Memory Care Center and is supported by the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging and the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging. The Fairfax Area Commission on Aging has proposed that the Dementia Friendly Fairfax initiative be included in the Fairfax 50+ Plan. The DFF Action Team consists of representatives from local residential care services and community services, community volunteer ambassadors, commissioners appointed by elected officials to represent the aging population, and community members. DFF's initial efforts are be focused on providing training to the neighborhood villages, local libraries and the community volunteer ambassadors who work with aging adults. The DFF Action Team will include members from each of Fairfax's magisterial districts as well as the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church in order to ensure representation from all areas of Fairfax. DFF sees this initiative as an opportunity to increase awareness and knowledge of dementia, support those with dementia and their caregivers, and work toward becoming a dementia friendly community.