Why do we need community programs to support brain health and reduce cognitive decline in older adults?

We know that up to 45% of dementia risk factors are modifiable, and addressing them can help prevent dementia and delay cognitive decline in older adults.

Among these, social isolation and physical inactivity play a significant role. This means that community-based programs are not just supportive: they are essential.

They can both:

• reduce the risk of developing dementia
• improve quality of life for people already living with dementia

In that sense, they are a win-win for individuals and communities. They should be a core part of building dementia-friendly communities.

This is where our work is focused.

At TrueNetwork Community Solutions Society (link), we are sustaining and advancing the Dementia Co-Creation Academy (DCCA), a community-based program designed to support the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being of older adults, people living with dementia, and their caregivers (DCCA website).

DCCA is built on a simple but important shift:

"From participants as recipients to participants as contributors"

Through co-creation, therapeutic recreation, and intergenerational engagement, the program creates spaces where people can:

• build meaningful social connections
• stay physically and cognitively engaged
• express creativity and purpose
• strengthen belonging and social citizenship

The program operates through two complementary streams:

🔹 Hi-Five Club

Therapeutic social sessions including art, music, movement, storytelling, and cognitive activities

🔹 Co-Creation Café

Participant-led creative projects that foster expression, collaboration, and community contribution

A simple moment, music, movement, or shared storytelling can shift how someone feels, connects, and participates. DCCA creates those moments consistently and intentionally across community settings, long-term care, and assisted living environments.

We are currently building this work forward and welcome connections with those interested in:

• Collaborating on community-based initiatives or research
• Volunteering in co-creation and dementia-inclusive programming
• Sharing or co-using community or program space
• Connecting us to funding opportunities, grants, or aligned partners

👉 To volunteer with DCCA or other initiatives, please complete our volunteer form. We will be in touch.

👉 For partnerships, contact us at info@truenetworksociety.ca

Let’s build more dementia-friendly and age-friendly communities, together. Resharing this post helps us reach more communities and collaborators.