Montgomery County's Dementia Friendly Initiative
Dementia Friendly America - December 2015, BrightFocus Foundation, a Clarksburg-based Alzheimer’s research nonprofit, welcomed Montgomery County to help create a national network of communities called Dementia Friendly America. Since then, the County has strengthened its efforts – some of these may even become models for other communities. Through a public private partnership, Montgomery County is developing thoughtful initiatives that continue empower the community so caregivers and their families who are experiencing dementia are supported.
“We want everyone to know that Montgomery County is strengthening the services and empowerment we offer to individuals and families experiencing dementia,” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “And, we want to ensure that people in this situation are aware of County supports so they can make use of them.”
- Beacon Newspaper, feature article on Montgomery County’s Dementia Friendly – March
- Montgomery County’s Dementia Friendly Business Kick Off event, hosted by BrightFocus Foundation – February 15 video
- “Connecting Our Community” interview episode about Montgomery County’s Age-Friendly Community and Dementia Friendly video
- Dementia Friendly—Briefing for the Montgomery County State Delegation – January 23 video
- Read details of how Montgomery County’s Public Safety team has adopted Dementia Friendly and are integrating it into their day to day work:
- AARP media material – December 5, 2016 DFA launch video: video
- AARP DFA blog story
- Dementia Friendly America
- pdf Alzheimer's Statistics MD
- Alzheimer's Association
- Interview with: Officer Police Laurie Reyes
- Senior's Today interview with Lt. Jamie K. Baltrotsky, from the County's Non-Emergency Intervention & Community Care Coordination Program
- Interview with Police and Fire Chief's on County's Dementia Friendly America Outreach
Becoming a Dementia Friend
To become a Dementia Friend, you will watch an overview video that will provide you with information about dementia, how to recognize the signs of dementia and simple actions you can take to be a Dementia Friend and to personally contribute to making your community dementia friendly.
Once you have watched the overview video in its entirety, you will be prompted to select one of seven sector specific video shorts. In order to complete the Dementia Friends session, you need to watch at least 3 video shorts. We encourage you to select the sectors that are most relevant to your role in the community. Once you have viewed the overview and 3 video shorts you will be able to register as a Dementia Friend.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY’S DEMENTIA FRIENDLY AMERICA - ACTION TEAM
- Convener: Montgomery County Maryland.
- Sponsor: Brightfocus Foundation.
- Public / Private Partner Stakeholders.
- Family Caregivers.
- County: States Attorney, Police, Fire and Rescue (Public Safety Team), Minority Health Initiatives, Head of Departments in Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Aging & Disability Services.
- Non Profits and Associations: Alzheimer’s Association, AARP Maryland , GROWS (senior services providers), Holy Cross Caregiver Resource Center, Interfaith Network.
- Business Partners: Continuum of Care Workgroup: representatives of senior residential and care organizations, Beacon Newspaper, Chamber of Commerce.
To learn more about Montgomery County’s Dementia Friendly American Initiative
Contact: Lylie Fisher, call: 240.777.3037 or email