CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions is challenging Hoosiers across the state to become a Dementia Friend. The nonprofit focused on improving the quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities wants at least 1,000 people to become a Dementia Friend in September as part of Global Alzheimer’s Awareness month.
Dementia Friends is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act and talk about dementia. Since launching Dementia Friends Indiana in 2017, it now partners with more than 15 area agencies on aging throughout the state, municipalities and other organizations who are working to educate people about dementia, reduce stigmas surrounding it and implement practical changes that create more welcoming environments for those affected by it.
Becoming a Dementia Friend is easy. Watch a video online at dementiafriendsindiana.org, or for those who want even more knowledge, they can attend a Become a Friend Session, which will be held at the following dates and locations:
- Sept. 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. at CICOA, 8440 Woodfield Crossing Blvd., Indianapolis
- Sept. 12 from 2 to 3 p.m. at CICOA
- Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to noon at CICOA
- Sept. 16 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Hamilton East Public Library, 5 Municipal Drive, Fishers.
- Sept. 25 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Hamilton East Public Library
- Sept. 26 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at CICOA
Dementia Friends Indiana is also hosting two Memory Cafés in September for people with dementia and a caregiver:
- Sept. 8 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Memory Café at Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. Participants will try fall-time delicacies such as apple fritters and pumpkin butter, learn a craft and make apple butter, in addition to visiting the Apple Store.
- Sept. 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Hamilton East Public Library in Fishers.
Memory Cafés are free to attend, but registration is required at dementiafriendsindiana.org/events-calendar.
Dementia is an epidemic and will continue to be one of the most challenging health conditions of our time. As the number of Indiana residents affected by it continues to grow, so does our need to better understand what dementia is, how it affects people and how to make a difference in the lives of those touched by it.
About CICOA
CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions is the unbiased expert in Central Indiana connecting older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers with home- and community-based services that help them remain living at home in better health, with better care, at a lower cost. Through a network of agencies, providers and volunteers, CICOA offers personal home care, meals, senior transportation, home accessibility modifications, respite care, caregiver assistance and more. A nonprofit since 1974, CICOA is Indiana’s largest Area Agency on Aging and serves Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Morgan and Shelby counties.