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.
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.
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 (715) 942-1895 to speak to Andrea, our Dementia Care Specialist.
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 Andrea to make an appointment at (715) 942-1895.
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
Purple Angel
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 Andrea at (715) 942-1895. Visit
Purple Angel Trained Businesses and Organizations to learn more and find Purple Angel-trained organizations/businesses near you.
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
For details and more information regarding Memory Cafés, visit the Fox Valley Memory Project's Memory Café Calendar!
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
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 Andrea Brace (715) 942-1895
For more information on these programs, please contact Andrea Brace, Dementia Care Specialist with the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Calumet, Outagamie & Waupaca Counties, at (715) 942-1895 or email andrea.brace@co.waupaca.wi.us
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