Community Directory
These Ohio communities are Dementia Friendly!
Dementia Friendly Ohio Communities
Clintonville
Hancock County
Medina County
North Ridgeville
Summit County
Toledo
Westlake
Yellow Springs
Will your community be next?
Learn how to begin!
Cleveland Heights
Joined Dementia Friendly America Network – 2021
Highlights include:
- Dementia Friends Sessions and other aging older adult community education programs held at library branches
Community Leads
Megan Huth, Benjamin Rose
Sarah Nicolay, Benjamin Rose
Clintonville
Joined Dementia Friendly America Network – 2022
Activities include:
- Dementia Friends Sessions
- Memory Cafes at The Village in the Ville – Memory Cafes offer a welcoming space for people with memory impairments and their caregivers. Activities vary, incorporating physical, cognitive and social exercises to promote overall well-being.
Community Leads
Timna Haines , Village in the Ville
William Jones-Kline, Village in the Ville
Hancock County
Joined Dementia Friendly America Network – 2017
Community Lead
Marty Williman, Ohio Council for Cognitive Health
Medina County
Joined Dementia Friendly America Network – 2025
Highlights include:
- Businesses that have participated in Dementia Friends sessions are now displaying window clings to signify involvement
- Faith communities have begun actively engaging in Dementia Friendly Medina County’s work
- Monthly Memory Cafes at Buckeye Library
Community Leads
Anna Plazek, Medina County District Library
Suzie Muniak , Medina County District Library
North Ridgeville
Joined Dementia Friendly America Network – 2024
Highlights include:
- Dementia Friends Sessions
- Held a Dementia Awareness Week at the Library
- Memory Bags – backpacks containing games and memory strategy resources can be checked out by library patrons
Community Leads
Emily Lockshine, North Ridgeville Senior Center
Terri Lanham, Kendal at Home
Summit County
Joined Dementia Friendly America Network – 2022
Highlights include:
- Working to expand dementia friendly efforts into Portage, Wayne, and Stark counties
- Presentations at community-wide events and targeted efforts to reach out to Summit County agencies and organizations have activated commitment to dementia-inclusive practices among community allies
- Developed The Accessibility Library, which includes assistive resources and support to make community events accessible to everyone, including those living with dementia and their care partners
- The Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library’s collection now includes Cognitive Health Kits, Dementia Friends sessions have been on its programming calendar, and its website includes Social Stories to support Library visits for all
Community Leads
Donna Barrett, Summit County Health Department
Tonya Gardella, Akron-Summit County Public Library
Toledo
Joined Dementia Friendly America Network – 2023
Highlights include:
- Dementia Friends Sessions
- Connecting with libraries to offer sessions at library branches
- Hosted Toledo’s first-ever Dementia Friendly Movie Event
- Piloting A Dementia Friendly Restaurant Experience initiative
- Collaboration with community organizations, healthcare providers, libraries, local businesses, and leadership development programs expands our reach and strengthens our programming
Community Leads
Lyndi Wyrostek, MemoryLane Care Services
Salli Bollin, MemoryLane Care Services, Ohio Council for Cognitive Health
