What is Dementia Friendly Iowa?

Building More Dementia Friendly Communities, One Friend at a Time

Since July 2021, over 15,000 people across Iowa have taken a small step that makes a big difference: becoming a Dementia Friend. This simple, free educational program empowers individuals to better understand dementia and how to support those living with it. Thanks to the passionate volunteers who become Dementia Friends Champions, the ripple effect of awareness and kindness continues to spread—especially into rural communities that need it most.

Take Katie’s story, for example. After attending a Dementia Friends session, she found herself at her local gym walking beside an older woman who struck up a cheerful but confusing conversation. The woman repeated herself often, didn’t remember where her children lived, and struggled with the treadmill settings. Katie recognized these as potential signs of dementia—something she wouldn’t have been equipped to spot before the session. When the woman called her husband over and asked if he was really her husband, Katie’s hunch was confirmed. Thanks to the communication tools and confidence she gained from the Dementia Friends program, Katie didn’t panic or disengage. Instead, she listened patiently, offered a helping hand, and formed a warm connection. The two ended up walking together every Thursday for months—a wonderful reminder of how compassion and understanding can change lives.

In another small Iowa town, the impact of the program brought comfort to an entire family. After a Dementia Friends session at a local public library, a woman approached the presenter in tears. Her mother—recently diagnosed with dementia—had been sitting at the back table, surrounded by family members desperate for guidance. “I felt like you were talking directly to us,” she said. “We didn’t know what to do after the doctor gave us the diagnosis. Now we feel hopeful.” The family left the session with new tools, local resources, and—most importantly—a sense that they weren’t alone.

These are just two of the thousands of lives touched by the Dementia Friends movement in Iowa. To continue this impact, we need more Dementia Friends Champions—especially in rural counties and among bilingual speakers—to help lead sessions and grow the movement. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to make a difference, consider becoming a Champion.

Upcoming Champion Zoom Trainings:

• Wednesday, June 18 (12–2 PM)
• Thursday, July 17 (9–11 AM)
• Tuesday, August 19 (2–4 PM)

Together, we can ensure that everyone—no matter where they live or what language they speak—has the tools to support those living with dementia and help them thrive in their communities.

Learn more or sign up at https://dementiafriendlyiowa.org/what-is-dementia-friends-iowa/ or contact Megan Zimmerman (mzimmerman@nei3a.org).

Translated Dementia Resource Guides

Now Available in English, Bosnian, French, and Spanish

Great news! Our Dementia Resource Guide is now available in English, Bosnian, French, and Spanish. If you’d like copies or have ideas of organizations who could use them, please reach out to Megan Zimmerman (mzimmerman@nei3a.org)! This is a great way to help more people access dementia support in their preferred language.

Visit the Dementia Friendly Iowa website to access PDF copies of all the guides as well.

Dementia Service Specialist Consultations

Free service now available in Northeast Iowa!

We're proud to share about the Dementia Service Specialist (DSS) Consultations at Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging – a free service for individuals and families navigating dementia!

A dementia diagnosis or symptoms can feel overwhelming - for both individuals and families. That’s why we’re here to help with personalized support, resources, and expert guidance from our trained Dementia Service Specialist, Erick Hill. Consultations are available by phone, virtually, or in-person across our NEI3A region (Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Grundy, Hardin, Howard, Jackson, Marshall, Poweshiek, Tama, and Winneshiek counties).

What you can expect from a DSS Consultation:

• Personalized assessment based on symptoms and stage
• A clear care plan
• Education on dementia progression, safety, and treatment
• Support tools for caregivers
• Connections to local resources and support groups
• A powerful dementia simulation to help caregivers better understand the experience

Each consultation ends with a personalized roadmap and trusted referrals—so you’re not just informed, but prepared.

If you or someone you know could benefit, reach out today:

Erick Hill, Dementia Service Specialist

ehill@nei3a.org

319-287-1163

View shareable DSS rack card here.

Still Here: Living with Lewy Body Dementia

Article by Kevin Dill (Iowan Living with Dementia)

"Living with Lewy body dementia is not simply about loss. It’s about navigating life differently—sometimes moment by moment—with courage, with honesty, and with a quiet kind of resilience.

There are days when I feel strong, grounded, even hopeful. And then there are days when it feels like the world is shifting beneath me, and I’m just holding on. No two days are the same. This disease is a rollercoaster—unpredictable, unforgiving, and at times, deeply confusing.

This morning, I sat outside on the patio. The air was calm. I looked out at the street, the trees, the grass, the birds. I could hear them singing—but I couldn’t see them. My thoughts went nowhere. I tried to remember… anything. Who I am. Where I came from. How I got here. But nothing came. Just stillness. Just blank space.

That’s what Lewy body can do. It sneaks in and steals clarity, memory, and orientation. It clouds the mind, then disappears for a while—just long enough to remind you what you've lost.

But even in that fog, I want people to know: I’m still here.

This disease does not define me. It is a part of my story, but it’s not the whole thing. I’ve lived a life of service, of love, of purpose. That doesn’t disappear just because the memories fade. I still feel. I still care. I still fight.

Sometimes, simply sitting with the confusion is the hardest part. Sometimes the silence feels endless. But even then, I am not alone. And neither are you.

I share this because someone out there needs to hear it. A caregiver. A fellow veteran. Someone recently diagnosed. A family member who’s struggling to understand.

There is life after the diagnosis—not the same life, maybe, but a life that still holds value. A life that still matters. On the blank days, on the hard days, on the days filled with light—we are still here."

Dementia Friendly Language

Words to Say and NOT Say: Words Matter!

The words we use shape how others see dementia. Kind, respectful, person-first language helps reduce stigma and centers the person—not the dementia.

✅ Say:

• Person living with dementia
• Living well with dementia
• Cognitive changes
• Dementia is not "typical" aging

❌ Avoid:

• Sufferer, victim, afflicted
• Dementia person
• Dementia patient
• Demented
• Wanderer
• Aggressive
• Difficult behaviors
• Dementia is not "normal" aging

Tip: Focus on the person, not the condition. Words matter — and YOU help lead the way!

For more information, check out these resources:

• Dementia Friendly Language Flyer (developed by Carly Bendull with the UNI Dementia Simulation House)
• "Words Matter" Language Guide (developed by Dementia Action Alliance)

Free Dementia Friendly Business Training

Get recognized as a Dementia Friendly Business!

Join the movement to create inclusive spaces for all. As a Dementia Friendly Business, you'll:

• Equip your staff with skills to better serve customers with dementia
• Get tailored recommendations to enhance your services
• Receive a certificate and window decal
• Be featured on our website and social media

Training is just one hour and offered on a free-will donation basis. We can fit the needs of your staff schedule, and the training can be via Zoom or in-person!

Local Dementia Research Study Opportunities

Help researchers inform future practice! Click flyers for more information.