Community Conveners
Meet Our Dementia Friends Champions Community Conveners
Get to know the passionate leaders driving the Dementia Friends movement across Illinois, dedicated to fostering understanding and building supportive communities for those living with dementia.
Raj C. Shah, MD
Where do you work?
Rush (Chicago, IL)
What Dementia Friendly Community are you a part of?
Through the Illinois Cognitive Resources Network, I am the faculty administrative lead for Dementia Friendly Illinois and Dementia Friends Illinois. These two organizing bodies provide support and engagement for all local Dementia Friendly Community and Dementia Friends efforts across Illinois.
Where are you located for giving talks?
The Chicagoland Metropolitan region is my primary catchment area for in-person engagements. However, I am open to discussions about in-person or virtual presentations to key civic and community leaders or larger audiences across the State.
What do you like about Dementia Friends?
I really appreciate the ways Dementia Friendly and Dementia Friends focus on local, grassroots efforts. They enable anyone to participate in creating a sense of greater belonging and connection. They work to
eliminate stigmas associated with people living with or at risk for dementia and their care networks. I am in awe by all the creative ways local organizations and community members approach making their communities more dementia friendly.
Susan Frick, MSW, LSW
Where do you work?
Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center (Chicago, IL)
What Dementia Friendly Community are you a part of?
As part of the Illinois Cognitive Resources Network, I am one of the state leads for both Dementia Friendly and Dementia Friends
Where are you located for giving talks?
I can give talks across the state. For the greater Chicagoland area, the talks could be in-person but I’m open to give virtual talks throughout
Illinois.
What do you like about Dementia Friends?
Loneliness and isolation are often a strong experience of those living with dementia and their families. I love being part of Dementia Friendly and Dementia Friends because it works to bring people together. These initiatives create a community of support.