Senior Resources 2022 Northeast Directory

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support to help you navigate this journey. In northeast Wisconsin there are Caregiver Coaches, Resource navigators, Dementia Care Specialists, Memory Cafés, and more to help ease the chal- lenges of the dementia journey. To access dementia resources, Fox valley Memory Project can connect you with services, activi- ties, support groups and more. Call 920-225-1711 to talk to a Resource navigator for free today. Article submitted by Harper Smith, a social worker at Fox Valley Memory Project managing the Memory Link Resource Navigator program.

ave you noticed changes in yourself or a loved one? Maybe it’s trouble remembering things or having difficulty completing tasks that were once routine. When we age, our brain changes, but not all of these changes are “normal.” Getting a diagnosis is the key to understanding what is happening and getting the right help. Dementia is more than just memory loss, it is impairment of brain function that affects things like social skills, problem solving, judgment, and more. Dementia can be diagnosed by a primary care physician or by a special- ized doctor like a neurologist. The uW-Madison Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute maintains a network of Memory Diagnostic Clinics who use a team of dementia care experts to do high-quality, thorough, inter- disciplinary evaluations. To find the list, go to www.wai.wisc.edu/memory- clinic-finder. During a diagnosis appoint- ment, providers may seek input from the patient and their loved ones to get a clear picture of the symptoms. Tests could include verbal or writ- ten tests, lab work, and imag- ing. The diagnosis process is important to help rule out any reversible causes of dementia including, thyroid problems, depression, sleep apnea and more. While Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, other conditions

M AnAGInG A LzhEIMER ’ S OR D EMEnTIA

like Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI),

Parkinson’s Disease, Lewy Body Disease, and more can also cause dementia. having an accurate diagnosis can help inform the best course of treat- ment and support for the patient. If you or a loved one are living with dementia, there is local

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F or information on S enior S ervices in Wisconsin, visit our website www.seniorresourcesonline.com