PHOENIX (Nov. 12, 2025) — Dementia Friendly Arizona, led by Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary by recognizing a decade of progress toward making the state a more compassionate and supportive place for people living with dementia and their care partners.
The celebration at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute brought together community leaders, partners and volunteers who have advanced the statewide initiative that now includes 14 communities, including Dementia Friendly Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. More than 15,000 “dementia friends” have attended information sessions across the state, raising awareness about dementia and supportive resources.
The celebration will continue at the free “Shine a Light on All Dementias” community event from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 in the main parking lot of Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, 901 E. Willetta St. in Phoenix.
Dementia Friendly Arizona is a collaborative network seeking to ensure Arizona communities are better equipped to support people living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and their care partners, by becoming “dementia friendly.”
As part of the Dementia Friendly America network of communities, the mission is to increase dementia awareness, reduce stigma and provide quality dementia-friendly resources, education and support that fosters the creation of communities where people living with dementia and their care partners can live, engage and thrive in community with others.
“Over the past decade, Dementia Friendly Arizona has shown what is possible when communities come together with compassion and commitment,” said Janice Greeno, senior outreach program manager for Banner Alzheimer’s and the Dementia Friendly Arizona state lead. “We’ve seen real progress in breaking down stigma, increasing empathy, providing more resources, and creating spaces where people living with dementia and their families feel truly supported.”
The event recognized individuals and organizations who have played a vital role in expanding awareness, education, and support for dementia-friendly communities. Participants also expressed gratitude to community champions and discussed the importance of continued collaboration in shaping a more dementia-friendly future.
“With Arizona anticipated to experience the nation’s highest growth rate of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, it’s important to create more programs and resources to help entire communities better understand dementia and how it affects people,” said Heather Mulder, associate director of outreach research for Banner Alzheimer’s.
Dementia Friendly Arizona is a member of the Dementia Friendly America network of communities. Tempe, Ariz., was recognized as one of the pilot communities in the United States at the 2015 White House Conference in Aging.
Many memory cafés have started as part of this initiative across the state. They provide welcoming gatherings to benefit both people living with early to moderate memory loss and their care partners together. These cafés bring joy and community to people often feeling isolated and alone as they navigate the dementia journey.
For more information about Dementia Friendly Arizona, how a community can join the network of communities, to schedule a one-hour Dementia Friends information session, or to find out about memory cafés in your area and other ways to get involved, contact baifcs@bannerhealth.com or call 623-832-6637.
About Banner Alzheimer’s Institute
Since its inception in 2006, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute has sought to find effective Alzheimer’s disease prevention therapies without losing another generation, establish a new model of dementia care for patients and family caregivers, and forge new models of collaboration in biomedical research. It has made groundbreaking contributions to the unusually early detection, tracking, diagnosis and study of Alzheimer’s, and aims to find the first effective prevention therapy by the end of 2026. It includes the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative, numerous observational studies and clinical trials, comprehensive clinical, family and community service programs, a leading brain imaging research program, and strategic partnerships with public and private research organizations around the world. Learn more at http://www.BannerHealth.com/Alzheimers.