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DFA Welcomes New Community

We are thrilled to welcome a new community from Iowa to our growing DFA network of communities:

Linn County, IA

Dementia Friendly Linn County is committed to growing its number of Dementia Friends and training local organizations in dementia friendly practices. To officially launch Dementia Friendly Linn County the community is hosting a kick-off event in partnership with their local Center for Aging and Dementia. 

Same DFA…New Website!

The DFA team is excited to announce the launch of our new and updated website! This new website offers a fresh and modern look, updated resource listings, a community directory and more. We’ve integrated Dementia Friendly America and Dementia Friends USA for one stop shopping! 

HHS Announces Multi-Pronged Effort to Strengthen Direct Care Workforce

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced new initiatives and resources addressing the shortage of professionals providing services to older adults and people with disabilities. Run by the Administration for Community Living’s Direct Care Workforce (DCW) Strategies Center, this multi-pronged effort includes two technical assistance opportunities; a national hub to connect states, stakeholders, and communities to best practices and resources for direct care workforce and a webinar series for states and stakeholders. 

New Resources

• The BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Early Detection of Dementia, in partnership with the CDC, published a new toolkit designed to assist health care professionals and people experiencing cognitive impairment in thinking about the value of early detection of dementia and how to develop an initial plan. This toolkit emphasizes the importance of early detection, offers considerations for developing dementia detection programs, provides a comprehensive overview of the screening process and highlights valuable resources to support these efforts within a health system.

• The Gerontological Society of America published Addressing Brain Health in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities: A Companion to the KAER Toolkit for Primary Care Providers, designed to address the unique needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who develop dementia. This document is intended to raise awareness of the needs of adults living with I/DD, equip and encourage appropriate brain health conversations and early detection and assist with identifying community supports and resources.

• UsAgainstAlzheimer’s in collaboration with the CDC developed A Practical Guide: Communicating Brain Health Messages with Latino and African American Communities and Promoting Brain Health Equity in African American and Latino Communities - Social Media Toolkit to assist public health professionals, health providers, researchers and community service providers incorporate evidence about brain health and cognitive decline risk in disproportionately affected groups into their existing messaging and media. 

Dementia Friends USA

There are more than 166,392 Dementia Friends across the United States. Join the movement by becoming a Dementia Friend today! 

• Nutrition's crucial role in Alzheimer's progression revealed (News-Medical, March 10, 2024)
• Better Sleep Is a Protective Factor Against Dementia (The Wire, March 9, 2024)
• Brooklyn music therapist helps dementia patients bridge the past to the present (CBS News, March 9, 2024)
• F.D.A. Delays Action on Closely Watched Alzheimer’s Drug (The New York Times, March 8, 2024)
• Female caregivers at higher risk for dementia (WHSV, March 8, 2024)
• North Carolina girl with ‘childhood dementia’ becomes social media star (Fox 8, March 8, 2024)
• Amyloid blood levels associated with brain changes in Alzheimer's study (Science Daily, March 6, 2024)
• Living with memory loss, working to fend off dementia (The Washington Post, March 3, 2024)
• Dementia and Communication with Caregiving Expert Teepa Snow (Being Patient, March 1, 2024)

Dementia Friendly America



Interested in starting a Dementia Friendly Community Initiative? Contact DFA for resources and support! Check the Getting Started webpage for more information.