Transforming Flagstaff into a Dementia Friendly City: Lessons from a Community Partnership Approach.

Abstract

Background: Developing a Dementia Friendly city involves cultivating a dynamic, cooperative community where individuals with dementia and their caregivers are valued and fully supported. In Flagstaff, Arizona, a culturally diverse mountain college town, this initiative seeks to address inequities in dementia care for underserved populations.

Objectives: The primary goal was to establish the Northern Arizona Dementia Friendly Community Council as a community-driven response to the rising public health challenges posed by dementia.

Methods: Guided by community-based participatory research principles and the Dementia Friendly America framework, we employed an iterative approach to assess community needs, engage diverse sectors, and drive the Dementia Friendly America application.

Lessons learned: Key lessons include the importance of shared leadership, inclusive engagement, and distributed decision-making, along with navigating limited funding, careful resource allocation, and steady volunteer participation.

Conclusions: Flagstaff's experience demonstrates that collaborative partnerships are essential for creating inclusive environments that support individuals with dementia and their caregivers.