Individuals Living with Dementia
Building a better quality of life while living with dementia.Living with dementia at any stage may be stressful or frightening, but there are tools and resources available, and our dementia support services can help. A diagnosis is not a dead-end, there are many ways to continue to find joy and strength in the journey.
Getting a Diagnosis, Memory Clinics, and Memory Screens
Dementia is a term for a set of symptoms, symptoms that are caused by specific diseases. There are 85-90 different disease types of dementia. Each is very different, responds differently to medications and treatments, and may affect you differently. In addition, some are even reversible! That is why it is very important to find out what specific type of dementia you have. In addition, early and timely diagnosis of the cause is very important. It allows you and your family to plan, maximize care and treatments, and make decisions regarding your future and end-of-life wishes together. How do you get an accurate and timely diagnosis? Memory Clinics are special clinics equipped with the specialist required to help you figure out what specific type of dementia you have.
We have included a list of local Memory Clinics in our ADRC Resource Guide in the Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, and Memory Loss section. You can also find a list of Memory Clinics statewide through the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute. The Alzheimer’s Association also has a webpage of information dedicated to explaining the diagnosis process, questions to ask, and the tests and approaches used for diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease. Click here to go to that page.
If you have concerns about your memory but aren’t quite sure if it is dementia or just a normal part of aging you can get a Memory Screen at the ADRC of Northwest Wisconsin. Call us at 877-485-2372 to schedule an appointment. A Memory Screen is a short test our staff can do with you that helps determine if further evaluation of your memory concerns is needed. It is never a bad idea to talk with your primary care physician any time you have memory concerns.
After a Diagnosis
After a Diagnosis of Dementia
After a Diagnosis Guide.pdf
Additional Resources
The following websites offer educational content and resources. Many of these sites also have online/virtual offerings and support group:
Programs and Events for those with a Diagnosis
Under construction. Updates soon. See Events & Classes | ADRC of NW WI for all programs offered.