Dementia Friendly Communities

How You Can Help 

Interested in helping us to create Dementia Friendly Communities across Ontario? Check out how you can get involved:

As an individual you can:

1. Access training through your local Society
2. If you're a person living with dementia, consider an Advisory Group
3. Sign up to volunteer with the Alzheimer Society
4. Become a Dementia Friend and help spread awareness

As a business or organization you can:

1. Connect with the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay to assess and determine your training needs
2. Receive free in-person or online training for your staff
3. Establish an ongoing partnership and support network
4. Receive recognition in our online directory of current supporters
5. Receive a Dementia Friendly decal with pride

Benefits of becoming a Dementia Friendly Community™ supporter

• Cater to a growing and underserved part of the population
• Demonstrate your commitment to accessibility and social responsibility
• Enhance your business’s reputation and broaden your customer base

Dementia Friendly Communities™ training will help you better understand the everyday experiences of people with dementia. Check out what training participants are saying:

“I was amazed with how much I was able to learn from our training session and I believe that it has benefited my performance in the workplace and also helped with my awareness overall…”

“We do have a patron who will often purchase more than one ticket to a concert, but they have now been flagged so our representatives will look to see if they already have a ticket before selling them a new one. It’s not a difficult thing for us, and it will help to prevent further confusion. This is the direction I’d like to see us head toward, one where we are able to make ticket-purchases easy for everyone, including those living with dementia.”

Helpful Resources

Communication tips

The more dementia progresses, the more difficult conversation becomes. While feeling disheartened is normal, don’t give up! Here are helpful tips that might improve the relationship:

• Introduce yourself clearly (e.g., “Hi Dad, it’s your daughter Sarah.”)
• Be calm, smile, and use body language to show reassurance
• Use visual cues and simple, one-step instructions
• Don’t argue or correct—redirect or gently change the topic if needed
• Avoid saying “Don’t you remember?” or asking the person to reason
• Go at their pace and be patient

Tips on making your environment safe

Every person with dementia will have different requirements for keeping a safe environment. Keep in mind some of the changes that occur with dementia:

• Address hazards: remove trip ricks, secure poisons, and watch stove access
• Simplify routines and give step-by-step instructions
• Account for reduced balance, vision, memory, and judgment
• Keep emergency tools on hand: fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, emergency contacts
• Slow down and allow time, rushing can lead to stress and accidents

To provide a safe home environment

People living with dementia may experience changes in balance, perception, memory, and judgment—making safety at home especially important. Here are some practical tips to help reduce risk and promote confidence:

• Focus on prevention: Scan your environment for potential hazards such as loose rugs, exposed cords, accessible cleaning products or medications, gas stoves, choking hazards, or doors that may lock from the inside.
• Be patient and slow down: Avoid rushing. Give the person time to move at their own pace and respond comfortably to tasks or conversations.
• Simplify routines: Break down daily activities, like dressing or bathing, into smaller, manageable steps. Consistency and simplicity reduce confusion and help maintain independence.
• Have an emergency plan: Keep essential items ready, including a working fire extinguisher, a well-stocked first-aid kit, and a list of emergency contacts posted near the phone or in a central location.