Judith DeGroot is an instructor and coordinator for the Health Care Assistant Program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU). Her research interests include: Gerontology, Clinical Education, the Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias, Dementia Friendly Communities, Dementia Awareness, and Person Centred Practice. The purpose of her current research is to develop a Dementia Friendly Communities (DFCs) applied research cluster at KPU using Scotland’s National Dementia Strategy (based on human rights philosophy) as a foundation. Key to this vision is the creation of Dementia Working Groups (DWGs) comprised of individuals living with dementia, to actively participate in and guide the conversation within their communities. KPU’s Faculty of Health DFC research team (Judith DeGroot, Sharon Leitch, and Carol Hansen) are working collaboratively with the City of Surrey, the DWG, and other key stakeholders, to respectfully and inclusively look at new innovations and collaborative approaches to support Surrey’s growing population of people living with dementia.