The Assisted Living Federation of America has thrown its support behind the new Dementia Friendly America national initiative aimed at improving neighborhoods for those with dementia as well as for their families.

The initiative will begin in Tempe, Arizona; Santa Clara County, California; Denver, Colorado; Prince George’s County, Maryland; Knoxville, Tennessee; and the state of West Virginia, Blue Plus CEO Frank Fernandez announced July 13 at the White House Conference on Aging. George Vradenburg, of US Against Alzheimer’s, had promised an announcement during a panel discussion on Alzheimer’s during ALFA’s annual meeting in May. US Against Alzheimer’s is one of more than 50 organizations participating in the initiative.

Former Sen. Bill Frist, who had participated in the panel discussion with Vradenburg, is the national spokesman for Dementia Friendly America.