For the first few years of this volunteer run organization and after becoming the nonprofit organization, Dementia-Friendly Communities of Northern Colorado, we used the purple angel symbol as our logo. We proudly align in general philosophy with other purple angel initiatives affiliated with the Purple Angel Ambassadors, an international dementia-friendly awareness campaign.
The original PURPLE ANGEL icon was created by Jane Moore, who retains original copyright together with Norman McNamara, a resident of the UK who was diagnosed with dementia at age 50.
While shopping one day, Norman was insensitively spoken to by a shopkeeper and decided to change the way people see dementia and treat others. He began by asking local business staff to read brief information so that they could better support people with dementia and their care partners.
Two weeks later, he returned and, if the staff had read the information, they were awarded a Purple Angel Logo for their window. The PURPLE ANGEL has since become the international symbol for dementia-friendly communities. We have given purple angel window clings to many businesses in Northern CO who have participated in dementia-friendly education.
