Dementia Friends

What is a Dementia Friend?

A Dementia Friend is someone who wants to make a positive difference in the lives of people living with dementia through increased awareness and support. Even small changes can help support people living with dementia to remain included, accepted and connected with their community.

Why become a Dementia Friend?

• Dementia is a general term for conditions such as Alzheimer’s and other diseases that cause problems with memory loss, language, behavior and other cognitive processes.
• Dementia affects every community sector and is a significant burden on the mental and physical health of family caregivers.
• 70 percent of people with dementia live in community-based settings, such as a private home, rather than in institutional care.
• Despite its high prevalence, there is still significant misunderstanding and lack of knowledge about the disease, resulting in stigma and isolation for those living with dementia and their caregivers.

How to become a Dementia Friend

To become a Dementia Friend, you can either attend an in-person workshop or complete an online video workshop. LifeSpan Resources offers in person workshops every fourth Friday of the month at its main offices in New Albany, Indiana. You can register for the workshops at: DementiaFriendsIndiana.org

To Become A Friend via the on line video workshop, go to: DementiaFriendsIndiana.org and click on Become a Friend, then Watch On Line Video Session.  You will be directed to download and print your workbook prior to watching the 30-minute video session. You will download and print a Certificate of Completion after viewing the video. Please snap a selfie with your Certificate and send to Lucy Koesters at lkoesters@lsr14.org.