Dementia Friends Illinois is a grass-roots effort for community members to become aware of the steps they can take individually and collectively to improve the lived experience of persons with dementia and their support systems.

ICRN became the Dementia Friends State Champion for Dementia Friends Illinois in May 2017 when a sub-licensee agreement between Dementia Friendly America and Rush University Medical Center was executed.

What is a Dementia Friend?
Dementia Friends Illinois is the work in Illinois to support the Dementia Friends USA movement. Dementia Friends USA is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. ICRN supports Dementia Friends Illinois by providing resources to assist the efforts of residents in Illinois to become part of the Dementia Friends USA movement.
All too often, persons living with or at risk for dementia feel alone and unheard. They feel left out from the activities in their community that promote well-being. Dementia Friends Illinois in conjunction with Dementia Friendly Illinois is about reversing the narrative.
Developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom, the Dementia Friends initiative helps everyone in a community understand what dementia is and how it affects people, each of us can make a difference for people touched by dementia.
