Dementia-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh is a collaboration built to create awareness and engagement throughout the community about dementia and how we can support those living with dementia. We provide education, create opportunities for engagement and advocate for the needs of those living with dementias and their care partners.
Our efforts began as a result of our region’s launch of Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh’s Action Plan in October 2017. Two of the plan’s Action Items directly related to Dementia-Friendly Communities; Creating Dementia Friendly Conversations and Providing Dementia Friendly Trainings.
As part of our initial efforts, we surveyed professionals in the field of dementia care, care partners, those living with dementia and other community members to determine our community’s strength and areas for potential growth. As part of our efforts, we joined the Dementia Friendly America Network. This is a national network of communities seeking to ensure that communities across the United States are equipped to support those living with dementia and their care partners.
Dementia-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh is working with our partners to provide educational opportunities and resources for various sectors of our business, organizational and governmental communities on how to create safe, respectful and engaging environments for those living with dementia and their care partners.
We are developing toolkits for different sectors and creating an independent website with resources, trainings and engagement opportunities.
One of our partners, Jewish Healthcare Foundation, serves as the statewide coordinators for Dementia Friends and Dementia Friends Champions already having over 1,400 Friends and Champions. Our other partners have contributed additional trainings and leadership to this collaborative.
This toolkit is a great way to educate our Greater Pittsburgh community on what dementia is; ways to be inclusive, welcoming, and supportive to people living with dementia and their care partners; and how to volunteer and advocate. It provides local and national resources, as well. Please click on the link below to download the Community Toolkit.
Community Toolkit
Become a Dementia Friend
To become a Dementia Friend, you join others in a one-hour Dementia Friends Information Session offered by Dementia Friends Pennyslvania. The session will cover five key messages about dementia and touch on what it is like to live with dementia. As a Dementia Friend you will turn your understanding into a practical action that can help someone with dementia living in your community. The action can be as big or small as you choose, because every action counts!
Champion Dementia-Friendly Efforts in the Workplace
Dementia Friendly Greater Pittsburgh is available to help you champion Dementia-Friendly efforts in your sector. Ways we can support you:
Education
Resources
Advocacy & Support
We are also available to discuss simple changes that will help you welcome those living with dementia, their family, friends, and care partners!
