Dementia Friends in Washington State

The UW Medicine Memory and Brain Wellness Center is proud to lead the Dementia Friends program in Washington State on behalf of the Dementia Action Collaborative.

 

About Dementia Friends

Dementia Friends is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. Developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom, Dementia Friends helps communities across the world understand what dementia is and how it affects people. Everyone can make a difference for people touched by dementia.

Dementia Friends Washington partners with organizations that take the lead in their county or tribe. Currently operating in 25 counties, Dementia Friends is focused on expanding across Washington State.

Infographic displaying WA State counties with Dementia Friend programs

How It Works

Dementia Friends relies on volunteer engagement of regional lead organizations who take the lead in their county or tribe. Regional lead organizations recruit Dementia Friends Champions, or individuals who have a committed interest in sharing about dementia with others by offering a Dementia Friends presentation in their community. Those who attend this presentation become Dementia Friends.

Learn more about the Dementia Friends WA model with this infographic!

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Dementia is not a normal part of aging.

  • Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain.

  • Dementia is not just about having memory problems.

  • It is possible to have a good quality of life with dementia.

  • There’s more to the person than the dementia.

Frequently Asked Questions

You are a Dementia Friend after you attend an in-person or virtual Dementia Friends Information Session.  At the information session, you learn more about five key messages about dementia so that you can share with others. We invite you to commit to a small action step to support people living with dementia in your community - such as being more patient, taking a meal to a caregiver, or driving a friend to a doctor’s appointment.

Anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend. We need everyone to be part of supporting people in our communities living with dementia.

Attend an information session either in-person or online. To find an upcoming session in your area, contact the lead in your county from the list at the bottom of this page!

A Dementia Friends Champion is a volunteer who helps spread the word about how others can make a positive difference to people living with dementia by giving a Dementia Friends presentation to groups of interested individuals in their community, either online or in person.

It’s easy! Dementia Friends Champions are asked to attend a training to learn about the presentation and what resources help facilitate an effective session. We are here to help. If you are interested in learning more, email the contact for your county, in the list at the bottom of this page. If you're county isn't listed, you're welcome to complete this Champion training interest form or contact Katie Zeitler at karenadz@uw.edu

Anyone who attends a Dementia Friends session becomes a Dementia Friend. Some Dementia Friends are interested in participating further and decide to  become trained as a Dementia Friends Champion. Once a Dementia Friends Champion, you can give Dementia Friends presentations to others in your community.  

We’re excited to expand the Dementia Friends program throughout Washington State. We do so by partnering with organizations that take the lead offering the Dementia Friends program in their county or tribe. Common organizations in this role include Area Agencies on Aging, other aging or dementia-related non-profits, health care or community service organizations. You can bring the Dementia Friends program to your region by encouraging a local organization to take the lead - we’ll provide training and help them every step of the way. Contact Katie Zeitler at karenadz@uw.edu for more information.

 County Contact Organization  Email  Phone
Adams*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749

Asotin

Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Benton Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Chelan*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Clallam Bri Buchanan Olympic Area Agency on Aging brittnie.buchanan@dshs.wa.gov 360.417.8540 
Clark Chasity Charette Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of SW WA

chasity.charette@dshs.wa.gov

 360-735-5753

Columbia Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Cowlitz Chasity Charette Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of SW WA chasity.charette@dshs.wa.gov 360-735-5753
Douglas*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Ferry Jenni Jones and  Tara Hill Matthews Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA

jenni.jones@dshs.wa.gov

tara.hillmatthews@dshs.wa.gov 

509-458-2509 ext. 335

509-458-2509 ext. 329

Franklin Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Garfield Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Grant*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Grays Harbor Bri Buchanan Olympic Area Agency on Aging brittnie.buchanan@dshs.wa.gov 360.417.8540 
Island Camano Island

Camano Center (for Camano Island) 

 

kconway@camanocenter.org (Camano Center)

 

 

 

360-387-0222 
  Whidbey and additional islands Northwest Regional Council  (for rest of Island County) NWRCDementia@dshs.wa.gov 360.671.3316
Jefferson Bri Buchanan Olympic Area Agency on Aging brittnie.buchanan@dshs.wa.gov 360.417.8540 
King Katie Zeitler UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center karenadz@uw.edu 206-685-6745
Kitsap*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Kittitas Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Klickitat*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Lewis*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Lincoln*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Mason*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Okanogan*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749  
Pacific Bri Buchanan Olympic Area Agency on Aging brittnie.buchanan@dshs.wa.gov 360.417.8540 
Pend Orielle Jenni Jones and  Tara Hill Matthews Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA

jenni.jones@dshs.wa.gov

tara.hillmatthews@dshs.wa.gov 

509-458-2509 ext.335

509-458-2509 ext.329

Pierce  Wendy Morris   wendyjsmorris@gmail.com (253)-759-5179
San Juan     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Skagit  Kate Massey

Northwest Regional Council

NWRCDementia@dshs.wa.gov

360.671.3316 
Skamania*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Snohomish*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Spokane Jenni Jones and  Tara Hill Matthews Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA

jenni.jones@dshs.wa.gov

tara.hillmatthews@dshs.wa.gov 

509-458-2509 ext.335

509-458-2509 ext.329

Stevens Jenni Jones and  Tara Hill Matthews Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA

jenni.jones@dshs.wa.gov

tara.hillmatthews@dshs.wa.gov 

509-458-2509 ext.335

509-458-2509 ext.329

Thurston*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Wahkiakum*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Walla Walla Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Whatcom Kate Massey

Northwest Regional Council

NWRCDementia@dshs.wa.gov

360.671.3316 
Whitman Jenni Jones and  Tara Hill Matthews Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA

jenni.jones@dshs.wa.gov

tara.hillmatthews@dshs.wa.gov 

509-458-2509 ext.335

509-458-2509 ext.329

Yakima Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103

 

*County currently does not have a Regional Lead Organization to manage and implement program fully: Contact Katie Zeitler, Dementia Friends WA Program Manager,  karenadz@uw.edu for more information if interested in becoming a Regional Lead Organization

Champions can still be trained to lead information sessions in these counties. If interested in being trained to become a Dementia Friends Champion in counties without Regional Lead Organizations, contact Katie Zeitler, Dementia Friends WA Program Manager,  karenadz@uw.edu for next steps.



 



 

Contact Person by County

 County Contact Organization  Email  Phone
Adams*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749

Asotin

Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Benton Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Chelan*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Clallam Bri Buchanan Olympic Area Agency on Aging brittnie.buchanan@dshs.wa.gov 360.417.8540 
Clark Chasity Charette Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of SW WA

chasity.charette@dshs.wa.gov

 360-735-5753

Columbia Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Cowlitz Chasity Charette Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of SW WA chasity.charette@dshs.wa.gov 360-735-5753
Douglas*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Ferry Jenni Jones and  Tara Hill Matthews Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA

jenni.jones@dshs.wa.gov

tara.hillmatthews@dshs.wa.gov 

509-458-2509 ext. 335

509-458-2509 ext. 329

Franklin Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Garfield Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Grant*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Grays Harbor Bri Buchanan Olympic Area Agency on Aging brittnie.buchanan@dshs.wa.gov 360.417.8540 
Island Camano Island

Camano Center (for Camano Island) 

 

kconway@camanocenter.org (Camano Center)

 

 

 

360-387-0222 
  Whidbey and additional islands Northwest Regional Council  (for rest of Island County) NWRCDementia@dshs.wa.gov 360.671.3316
Jefferson Bri Buchanan Olympic Area Agency on Aging brittnie.buchanan@dshs.wa.gov 360.417.8540 
King Katie Zeitler UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center karenadz@uw.edu 206-685-6745
Kitsap*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Kittitas Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Klickitat*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Lewis*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Lincoln*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Mason*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Okanogan*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749  
Pacific Bri Buchanan Olympic Area Agency on Aging brittnie.buchanan@dshs.wa.gov 360.417.8540 
Pend Orielle Jenni Jones and  Tara Hill Matthews Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA

jenni.jones@dshs.wa.gov

tara.hillmatthews@dshs.wa.gov 

509-458-2509 ext.335

509-458-2509 ext.329

Pierce  Wendy Morris   wendyjsmorris@gmail.com (253)-759-5179
San Juan     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Skagit  Kate Massey

Northwest Regional Council

NWRCDementia@dshs.wa.gov

360.671.3316 
Skamania*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Snohomish*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Spokane Jenni Jones and  Tara Hill Matthews Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA

jenni.jones@dshs.wa.gov

tara.hillmatthews@dshs.wa.gov 

509-458-2509 ext.335

509-458-2509 ext.329

Stevens Jenni Jones and  Tara Hill Matthews Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA

jenni.jones@dshs.wa.gov

tara.hillmatthews@dshs.wa.gov 

509-458-2509 ext.335

509-458-2509 ext.329

Thurston*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Wahkiakum*     dementiafriendswa@uw.edu 206-685-6749
Walla Walla Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103
Whatcom Kate Massey

Northwest Regional Council

NWRCDementia@dshs.wa.gov

360.671.3316 
Whitman Jenni Jones and  Tara Hill Matthews Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA

jenni.jones@dshs.wa.gov

tara.hillmatthews@dshs.wa.gov 

509-458-2509 ext.335

509-458-2509 ext.329

Yakima Johnica Castro SE WA Aging and Long Term Care johnica.castro@dshs.wa.gov 509-965-0105 ext. 1103

 

*County currently does not have a Regional Lead Organization to manage and implement program fully: Contact Katie Zeitler, Dementia Friends WA Program Manager,  karenadz@uw.edu for more information if interested in becoming a Regional Lead Organization

Champions can still be trained to lead information sessions in these counties. If interested in being trained to become a Dementia Friends Champion in counties without Regional Lead Organizations, contact Katie Zeitler, Dementia Friends WA Program Manager,  karenadz@uw.edu for next steps.