Dementia Friendly Elko Outreach

Nevada is among the states leading the nation in the growth rate of people age 65 or older and is also leading the nation in the growth rate of people living with dementia. 

According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2018 Facts and Figures, there are approximately 45,000 individuals living with dementia in Nevada. By the year 2025, that number is projected to increase by 42% to 64,000 people. These numbers alone present significant challenges to Nevada’s dementia service capability, and to the lives of elders, families and communities.  

In response to these challenges, the Dementia Friendly Nevada initiative aims to cultivate and strengthen communities in becoming more respectful, educated, supportive and inclusive of people living with dementia and their care partners. The vision of Dementia Friendly Nevada is a state where people living with dementia and their family care partners can live and thrive in communities that enable and encourage opportunities for engagement, independence, relationships and well-being. 

Beginning in 2016 with the development of a statewide workgroup, the Dementia Friendly Nevada initiative has since launched six community action groups, which includes Elko County, with support from a three-year federal grant (2017 – 2019) from the Administration on Community Living awarded to the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division. 

Dementia Friendly community action groups are active in the following communities: Elko County, Winnemucca, Pahrump, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Southern Nevada (Urban) and Washoe County. These community action groups receive co-facilitation support from Dr. Jennifer Carson, Research Assistant Professor, Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno; evaluation support from Drs. Peter Reed and Zebbedia Gibb, Sanford Center for Aging, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine; and program and technical assistance from the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division. In addition, each community action group was provided with one-time seed funding to support progress toward community-identified goals. 

Dementia-Friendly Elko County used a portion of their funding to pull together a Community Action Group (CAG) in June 2017. This diverse group of citizens launched the Dementia Friends program in Elko to provide sector-specific information sessions to interested community members. Dementia Friends learn five key messages about dementia and a bit about the lived experience of dementia. Then, Dementia Friends turn their understanding into a practical action to better support people living with dementia in their community.

The FIVE key messages:

  • Dementia is not a normal part of aging.
    Not everyone who grows old will develop dementia.
  • Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain.
    The most common is Alzheimer’s.
  • Dementia is not just about having memory problems.
    It can affect thinking, communication and doing
    everyday tasks.
  • It is possible to have a GOOD quality of life with dementia.
  • There’s more to the person than the dementia. People
    with dementia are a valuable part of the community.

Dementia Friends Elko County is helping community members understand dementia and the small things everyone can do to make a positive difference for people living with dementia. 

You are invited to come and learn more about our collaborative, community-based initiative and hear from a panel about the experience of living with dementia in Elko County today. 


Dementia Friendly Elko Community Outreach Event

Thursday, October 25, 2018
1:00pm – 3:00pm

G Three Bar Theater
Western Folklife Center

501 Railroad Street – Elko, Nevada

Join us as we share findings from our recent dementia community needs survey, provide an overview of the goals we are working to achieve, and describe how community members can get involved.

Let’s work together to make Elko County a friendly and inclusive community for all citizens.

Please RSVP your plans to attend:
Call The Terrace at Ruby View
775-738-3030 or email dementiafriendlyelko@gmail.com 


Note: Excerpts for this publication were taken from “Dementia Friendly Nevada – Statement of Purpose” authored in 2017 by Susan Stewart and Jennifer Carson, Community Action Group Members of
Dementia Friendly Nevada.


For more information about Dementia Friendly Nevada visit www.dementiafriendlynevada.org