Dementia Friendly PA Celebrates Eight New Communities in Six Months
Type: News
Focus Area: Aging
Representative Bridget Kosierowski speaks at the Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania kickoff event in Lackawanna County this month.
Over the past six months, Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania has welcomed eight new communities to its statewide network, including Berks County, Chester County, Montgomery County, the City of Erie, Lackawanna County, Mid Valley, Media, and Crawford County.
By joining the network, the volunteers spearheading these community efforts have committed to making their area more understanding, inclusive, and engaging for people living with dementia and their care partners.
A dementia friendly community is one where people living with dementia can meaningfully participate in everyday life – from running errands at the bank and grocery store to enjoying a night out a restaurant and theater.
The initiative provides resources and education through informational sessions, webinars, and events while guiding communities in joining the Dementia Friendly America Network.
“We are incredibly proud of the progress made in Pennsylvania, where several new dementia-friendly communities are being established through the support of Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania. This work is not just transforming physical spaces, but it is also cultivating a culture of inclusivity, compassion, and understanding, ensuring that individuals living with dementia can continue to live with dignity and joy,” said Stacie L. Bonenberger, MOT, OTR/L, Program Manager for JHF Aging Initiatives and Statewide Co-coordinator for Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania.
Since joining, these communities have been:
- recruiting individuals and organizations from different sectors to join their community action team
- designing plans to meet the needs of their communities
- holding events to help promote their efforts within the community –like the kick-off event in Lackawanna County
- launching memory cafes and support groups
As of 2024, over 282,000 Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, a leading cause of dementia. This number is projected to rise to 320,000 by 2025.
Learn more about Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania.