Dementia Friends in Washington State

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.

Learn more about volunteering at a virtual Volunteer Interest Overview in 2025:

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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.

Learn more about Champion Training and register for a training:

Champion Training

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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 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.

*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.