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. Already in Fiscal Year 2025 alone, over 4,700 new Dementia Friends have joined the effort to make their communities more supportive and inclusive.

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).

The Dementia Friends program is part of the greater Dementia Friendly Iowa initiative, led by NEI3A (Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging). In addition to individual education sessions, we support ten local Dementia Friendly Community initiatives across the state, working collaboratively to make towns and cities more inclusive and supportive for individuals living with dementia and their care partners.