Dementia Friendly Communities

Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) -  MCOA is a nonprofit, membership association of the 350 municipal councils on aging and senior centers. COAs are the first stop on the continuum of care. We support the 1.7 million older adults, 60 and over in Massachusetts, lead healthy, purposeful lives.

MCOA's Dementia Friendly Massachusetts Initiative

Dementia Friendly America - DFA is a national network of communities, organizations and individuals seeking to ensure that communities across the U.S. are equipped to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

Dementia Friends - Dementia Friends is a global public awareness program that aims to have as many people as possible take part in a one-hour information session so that they can learn a little about what it’s like to live with dementia, and the simple things that each member of a community can do to make a difference.

AARP's "Better Together: A Comparative Analysis of Age-Friendly and Dementia Friendly Communities" Report - learn why AARP recommends integrating age- and dementia friendly initiatives from the beginning.

Global Examples of Dementia Friendly Communities

Age-Friendly vs. Dementia Friendly Table

Massachusetts Age- and Dementia Friendly Integration Toolkit - Massachusetts developed this toolkit to simplify your community’s work to meet the needs of residents as they age. It brings together resources from the national and global age-friendly and dementia friendly movements and directs users to guidance, examples, and case studies.  

Dementia Resources and Supports

Worcester Senior Center

• • • For more information about the Time to Care Respite Day Program, please contact Wei Shi at shiw@worcesterma.gov

    • The Worcester Memory Cafe is held at the Worcester Senior Center on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 2-3:30pm. There is no cost to participate, and RSVPs are appreciated but not required. For more information and to RSVP, contact Deb Dowd-Foley at Elder Services of Worcester Area at ddfoley@eswa.org or 508-756-1545. 

Massachusetts Memory Cafe Directory 

Elder Services of Worcester Area - ESWA's mission is to help elders, younger individuals with disabilities, and their families obtain essential services so that elders can remain at home with dignity and independence for as long as possible. 

Alzheimer's Association - Advocacy, research, and support. The Central Massachusetts office of the Alzheimer's Association is located right here in Worcester, at 100 North Parkway, Suite 105.

• • • Free 24/7 hotline: 800-272-3900

    • The annual Walk to End Alzheimer's

    • Community Resource Finder - find programs and events, community services, in-home care providers, housing options, and medical services.

Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging - Enhancing the quality of life for older persons and caregivers through leadership, resources, coordination of services, and advocacy.

NICHE Program Caregiver Tools - These tools help you and your loved one navigate the health care continuum. Resources include AJN Family Caregiving Guide, Hospital Elder Life Program, Family Caregiver Alliance, Children of Aging Parents, and more. 

Information about Dementia

Alzheimer's and Dementia Information from the Alzheimer's Association 

• • • Information includes: know the 10 signs, diagnosis, approaching memory loss concerns, stages of Alzheimer's, treatment, and research and progress.

The Bookcase Analogy for memory loss from Alzheimer's disease

Downloadable DFW Materials

"Towards a Dementia Friendly Worcester: A Baseline Evaluation" Report (August 2018)

Dementia Friendly Brochure for City Employees

Dementia Friendly Brochure for Businesses