A dementia friendly community (DFC) is a village, town, city, or county that is informed about dementia and safe for people living with dementia. DFCs are also supportive and respectful of those living with the disease, their caregivers, and their loved ones. DFCs foster the ability of people living with dementia to remain in community and engage and thrive in daily life.
The dementia friendly movement took off in the United States in 2015, with the founding of Dementia Friendly America (DFA). DFA is a national network of communities, organizations, and individuals working to ensure that communities nationwide are prepared to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. Joining DFA means a community is engaging in a process to become more dementia friendly. Starting with 5 pilot programs, DFA has expanded and now includes a statewide initiative for Massachusetts.
Dementia Friendly Massachusetts (DFM) is state-wide, grassroots movement comprised of organizations, individuals, and municipalities growing dementia friendly communities to become more inclusive and supportive of those living with dementia, their families, and care partners. For example, DFM hosts Idea Exchanges and regional meetings around the state, distributes a quarterly newsletter.
Worcester is a local dementia friendly initiative. While the city's efforts are guided by the Action Team, we truly are a community effort.
About the DFW Action Team
Worcester's Dementia Friendly Action Team was convened in March 2019 in order to guide the city's efforts. Represented in the Action Team are the following sectors: transportation, healthcare, nursing homes, local government, community-based organizations, housing, banking, individuals living with dementia, and caregivers. Together, the Action Team plans events, collects and analyzes survey data, and implements education plans and other actions.
Anyone is welcome to share their ideas or offer their support at an Action Team meeting!
If you are interested in being a guest speaker at one of
our Action Team meetings to discuss a relevant
program, initiative, or event, please email Vanessa at