How do we reach this goal?

Very simply, by joining together, as we recognize that each person has a very important role to play. By striving to be dementia-inclusive, community members are held accountable to intentionally consider and engage people living with dementia and their caregivers as they live, work, and interact within their communities.  For professionals and organizations, it means intentionally considering and engaging individuals with dementia in planning and implementing service delivery.

We believe in a process called Collective Impact. Rather than working alone to solve problems, collective impact is centered on the idea that in order for organizations to create lasting solutions to social problems on a large-scale, they need to work together around a defined and agreed upon goal. Collective impact is a network of community organizations and individuals who solve problems by learning together and integrating their actions to achieve wide spread change. So, as each community builds its Dementia Friendly transformation team, it creates a shared vision for change and makes a pledge and commitment to become a Dementia Friendly Community.

Collectively, transformation team members participate in gathering data, sharing accountability for initiatives, and measuring results. While working on a joint plan of action, different stakeholders with different yet complimentary approaches address the various needs of people with dementia and their care partners. Through consistent and open communication, team members focus on building trust with each other and with the greater community. Each team has a lead support organization with staff who have resources and skills to assemble and coordinate all of the participating organizations.

One way to jump start your efforts is to become a Dementia Friend or a Dementia Champion.  We offer at least two free Dementia Friends and Dementia Champion sessions each month. You can visit our Dementia Friends page to learn more.

Joining the DFA network of communities means your community is engaged in a process to become more dementia-friendly.

• You will be part of a growing movement to make Ohio a dementia friendly state.
• You will receive local, state and national recognition for being at the forefront of serving people in our great state.
• You will make a difference, by improving the lives of people living with dementia and their care partners by partnering with them, not doing for them.
• You can proudly display the Dementia Friendly Ohio logo and sticker, customized with your community’s name.

Is there help available to do this? ABSOLUTELY, YES!

The Ohio Council for Cognitive Health is with you every step of the way.

As the lead in Ohio for Dementia Friendly Communities, OCFCH provides:

• Support for addressing dementia as a public health priority through information about brain health and other resources.
• A focus on what matters most to those impacted by dementia by involving people with dementia and their care partners in our hand in hand approach.
• A learning collaborative.
• Tools to create practical solutions.
• Quarterly meetings with other transformative communities.
• State and national social media presence.
• Assistance with operational improvement.
• Subject matter expertise.
• Educational materials for community members.
• Evaluation guidelines, metrics, and program performance measurement.
• Trend monitoring and identification of new opportunities.
• A framework for measuring inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impact.

Ready to get started?