Abstract
Nowadays, fifty million people worldwide are living with dementia and this number is expected to increase to 82 million by 2030 and 152 million by 2050. Insufficient awareness of dementia often causes stigmatization and discrimination, or also denying the human rights of the people with this disease.
Understanding this reality there are many actions created to encourage a supportive environment for people with dementia and their carers. Dementia friendly communities aspire to preserve: 1) The safety and well-being of those living with dementia; 2) Empower all members of the community to encourage celebration of the capabilities of people with dementia and view them as valuable and vital members (Alzheimer's Disease International 2015).
Dementia friends is one of the activities supporting dementia friendly communities define as: a place or culture in which people with dementia and their carers are empowered, supported and included in society, understand their rights and recognise their full potential, is a specific program aimed to eliminate stigma associated with dementia, raise public awareness of this disease, and translate this understanding into small supporting social actions. The presentation introduces Dementia friends pilot program in the Czech republic including the evaluation and concrete actions suggested by the target group of the sessions.