Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2025

Community-based Adapted Tango Dancing for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Older Adults
Published on: December 9, 2014
Implementation and impact of a Dementia Friends pilot
Alisa Tirado-Rafferty1, Miruna Petrescu-Prahova1, Basia Belza2
1Department of Health Systems and Population Health, 7284University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Introduction:
Dementia Friends is a dementia awareness program that trains lay leaders (called "dementia champions") to give presentations about dementia to combat stigma in their community.
Objective:
In this mixed methods study, we aimed to evaluate the impact and implementation of a pilot Dementia Friends program in Washington State to assess whether it improved attitudes towards people living with dementia.
Method:
Fifteen champions were recruited, who organized 22 Dementia Friends sessions, reaching 214 Dementia Friends participants. We collected data through interviews with champions and surveys administered to Dementia Friends participants before, immediately after, and 1-month after attending a Dementia Friends session. The survey collected demographic information and measured respondent attitudes towards people living with dementia using the Dementia Attitudes Scale.
Results:
Quantitative analysis showed that Dementia Attitude scores improved after a Dementia Friends session; this improvement was maintained through the 1-month follow-up. In qualitative analysis of champion interviews, we identified several suggestions regarding implementation of the Dementia Friends program, which could strengthen the program and better support champions in their role, such as increasing logistical assistance during participant recruitment.
Conclusion:
Dementia Friends sessions were effective in improving participant attitudes towards people living with dementia and inspiring ongoing action towards building Dementia-Friendly communities. Champions found deep meaning in their role, but would benefit from increased support to make the volunteer role more sustainable. Our findings can inform efforts to successfully deliver Dementia Friends in other locations.
Related Concept Videos
Dementia
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Intellectual Disability

