Step Three

Step 3: Develop an Action Plan & Begin Implementation

Taking action is a community’s most essential part of working toward becoming more dementia friendly.  By listening to residents, especially people living with the condition; identifying and reviewing resident needs; and developing an action plan, communities are able to identify their priorities and take action.  Many communities take the opportunity to convene a kickoff event to celebrate the completion of their action plan.  This type of kickoff meeting often serves as a way to engage the community and promote awareness of the community’s dementia friendly initiative. Templates of invitations and marketing materials for a kickoff event are available for communities to use.  Communities should inform the Dementia Friendly Massachusetts project manager of the status of their action plan and its implementation at patty@mcoaonline.com so that they can be directed to relevant and valuable resources, technical assistance and advice.