Reimagining the Future of Dementia Friendly America
- Kendra Stoll
- Mar 23, 2024
- 1 min read
Launched in 2015 and administered by USAging, Dementia Friendly America (DFA) is guided by a council of over 35 leading national organizations. Its mission: to ensure communities across the country are equipped to support individuals living with dementia and their care partners by becoming dementia friendly. From just six pilot sites, DFA has grown into a powerful movement—now reaching over 350 communities across 42 states.
The Challenge: Sustaining a Growing Movement
As DFA’s impact expanded, so did the need for a more sustainable business model. The initiative sought a path to generate revenue, support current communities, and scale its reach to meet rising demand.
Our Partnership: From Insight to Strategy
Bridge Builder Strategies partnered with DFA to reimagine its business model and unlock new value for stakeholders. Together, we:
Clarified the value of DFA’s existing resources
Explored opportunities to generate sustaining revenue
Evaluated membership pricing and offerings for financial stability
The Plan: Growth, Value, Sustainability
Bridge Builder Strategies created a comprehensive business plan focused on:
Ensuring the initiative becomes self-sustaining
Supporting DFA’s current network of communities
Growing the number of dementia friendly communities
Increasing Dementia Friends and engaged cross-sector stakeholders
We also examined:
The membership model and potential enhancements
Member and sponsor benefits
Strategic partnership opportunities
Messaging that would strengthen outreach and engagement
The Outcome: A Roadmap for Expansion
The final plan included tactical steps to:
Explore a national Dementia Friendly designation process
Identify data needed to demonstrate impact
Guide the DFA executive committee and staff through implementation
With a clear, actionable strategy, Dementia Friendly America is poised to scale its reach, deepen its impact, and ensure long-term sustainability.
