Services & Information for Those with Dementia and Their Families, Friends & Caregivers
Living with Dementia can be challenging, both for the affected individual, as well as those around them. Below you'll find information about services, classes and resources that can help. We've organized the information into the five categories listed below. To learn more, you can simply scroll down the page, or click on your area of interest.

- What is Dementia?
- Our Dementia Care Specialist (DCS)
- Dementia Care Services
- Dementia-Related Classes & Events
- Other Resources

What is Dementia?

Dementia is not a specific disease or diagnosis. "Dementia" is an umbrella term that describes trouble with memory, thinking, reasoning, language, planning, and more. There are many types of dementia, but some of the most common include:

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Vascular Dementia
• Lewy Body Dementia
• Frontotemporal Dementia

Dementia vs. Normal Aging
What is "normal aging" and when should you be concerned? Because our brain ages along with the rest of our body, some changes can be expected. However, a brain disease, like a type of dementia, is not a normal part of aging.

Dementia Care Specialist (DCS)

The mission of the Dementia Care Specialist Program is to support people with dementia and their caregivers in order to ensure the highest quality of life possible while living at home. In order to accomplish this mission, the DCS has three main goals:

• Ensure ADRC staff and volunteers are trained and competent about dementia so customers are met with understanding and support
• Provide education and support to family members and friends who are caregivers
• Help develop Dementia-Friendly Communities where people with dementia can remain active and safe, and caregivers can feel supported

This is done through phone calls, office visits, and even home visits if necessary.

Contact the ADRC at (920) 832-2038 to speak to Carrie, our Dementia Care Specialist.

Dementia Care Services

The ADRC Dementia Team helps connect you with a number of resources and activities related to dementia, including screenings, information on caregiving for those with dementia, support groups and more.

Memory Screening

We all experience some memory loss that comes with aging, but sometimes it's hard to know if what we're experiencing ourselves or in a loved one are typical, age-related changes -- or something more. Memory Screenings are a quick, non-invasive way to assess whether it may be time to talk with your doctor about your concerns. Memory Screenings are a FREE service offered by ADRC. Call Carrie to make an appointment at (920) 832-2038.

Caregiver Support & Dementia Care

• Alzheimer's Family Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP)
  This is a program that can provide respite to a caregiver caring for an individual who has Alzheimer's or Dementia. This program can fund things like home care, personal emergency response systems, transportation, adult day care, and more. To learn more, visit The Alzheimer's Family and Caregiver Support Program website. Call the ADRC at 877-739-2372 to be assessed for this program and learn more.
• Powerful Tools for Caregivers
  Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an educational program designed for caregivers to help them reduce stress, locate resources, improve self-confidence, communicate feelings, and increase ability to make tough decisions. This is a 90 minute class that meets weekly for six (6) weeks. To learn more, visit Powerful Tools for Caregivers

This organization offers free community training for businesses and organizations to increase knowledge, reduce stigma, and provide tools to meet the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers. This training helps businesses create a space where people can stay connected to familiar places and stay engaged in their community. To learn more, call Carrie at (920) 832-2038. Visit Purple Angel Trained Businesses and Organizations to learn more and find Purple Angel-trained organizations/businesses near you.

Dementia-Related Events, Support Groups & Classes

The ADRC Dementia Team helps connect you with a number of resources and activities related to dementia, including screenings, information on caregiving for those with dementia, support groups and more.

Memory Cafés

The Memory Café is an opportunity for people with early- to mid-stage dementia and their caregivers, family and friends to enjoy socializing with others in a safe, stigma-free environment. There is no cost to participate, the settings are relaxed, and there is an experienced facilitator who leads the Cafés. There are a number of Memory Café locations throughout Calumet, Outagamie and Waupaca Counties:

• Appleton River Tyme Bistro
  1st & 3rd Thursday of the month
  425 W. Water Street
  Appleton, WI 54911
• Chilton Ledge View Nature Center
  2nd Tuesday of the month
  W2348 Short Rd
  Chilton, WI 53014
• Kaukauna Public Library
  2nd Monday of the month
  111 Main Avenue
  Kaukauna, WI 54130
• Kimberly Library
  4th Wednesday of the month
  515 W Kimberly Avenue
  Kimberly, WI 54136
• Menasha – Elisha D. Smith Public Library
  3rd Wednesday of the month
  440 First Street
  Menasha, WI 54952
• Greenville Fox West YMCA
  1st Wednesday of the month
  W6931 School Road
  Greenville, WI 54942
• New London Senior Center
  4th Monday of the month
  600 W Washington Street
  New London, WI 54961
• New London Mosquito Hill Nature Center
  2nd Wednesday of the month
  N3880 Rogers Road
  New London, WI 54961
• Oshkosh Public Library
  2nd Wednesday of the month
  106 Washington Avenue
  Oshkosh, WI 54901
• Oshkosh YMCA 20th Avenue
  Last Monday of the month
  3303 W 20th Avenue
  Oshkosh, WI 54904

Support Groups

• Caregiver Support Hub
  2nd & 4th Wednesday 10:30 a.m.
  Chilton Public Library 221 Park St
  Chilton, WI 53014
• The Sandwich Club
  Adult Children caring for loved ones with Dementia
  1st & 3rd Thursday 12:00 p.m. *Virtual*
• TLC Support Group-Fox Valley Memory Project
  2nd & 4th Tuesday 1:00 p.m.
  1800 Appleton Rd, Menasha, WI 54956
• Men's Support Group
  3rd Thursday 2:30 p.m.
  1835 E. Edgewood Dr, Ste. 10520, Appleton
• Touchmark on Prospect
  1st Tuesday 2:30 p.m.
  2601 Touchmark Dr., Appleton
• Alzheimer's Association Support Groups
  www.alz.org/wi

Dementia-Related Classes

There are currently no classes being offered, but we will post them here when they are scheduled.

Other Resources

• SPARK!
  Spark! is a cultural program for individuals with early-to-mild-stage memory loss and their caregivers. The program welcomes caregivers to attend and is designed to help everyone actively engage in their community while experiencing art, culture, and nature in a comfortable environment with specially trained staff and volunteers.
  
  
  • Building for Kids Children's Museum
    1st Sunday 1:00 p.m.
    Call 920-734-3226, ext 119 or email msharp@buildingforkids.org
  • Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass
    165 N. Park Ave, Neenah
    2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:30am
    (920) 751-4658
• Book Club
  For those caring for a loved one with memory loss. Open to all caregivers, professionals, and community members.
  2nd & 4th Monday 10:00 a.m.
  Hoffman Memory Care Resource Center- 221 E. Thirteenth St., Kaukauna
  To Register, contact Carrie Esselman 920-832-2038
• Alzheimer's Association of Wisconsin
  www.alz.org/wi
• REACH Caregiver Support
  Heather Flick
  920-997-8407
  www.mosaicfamilyhealth.org
• Trualta
  Personalized, skills-based training platform for family members caring for aging loved ones living at home.
  www.wisconsincaregiver.trualta.com/login
• Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute
  www.wai.wisc.edu