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DEMENTIA SERVICES

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 Events, Memory Cafes, Support Groups & Classes
- Additional Resources & Programs

 

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 to speak with our Dementia Care Specialists:

  • Andrea Brace, at (715) 258-6400
  • Traci Edmondson, at (920) 832-5178

 

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 Us to Make an Appointment:

  • Calumet & Outagamie Counties: Traci at (920) 832-5178
  • Waupaca County: Andrea at (715) 258-6400

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) 258-6400. Visit Purple Angel Trained Businesses and Organizations to learn more and find Purple Angel-trained organizations/businesses near you.


 

Dementia-Related Events, Memory Cafes, 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.

Events

‣ THE DEMENTIA JOURNEY: UNDERSTANDING CARE PARTNER GRIEF

Join us for an 8-week workshop to help caregivers gain insight and understanding into ambiguous loss, anticipatory grief and their own unique journey.
There is limited seating for this no-cost workshop - please contact 920-560-7167 or susan.kazik@mosaicfamilyhealth.org for inquiries or to register!

DATES: Tuesday evenings, August 22-October 10, 2023
TIME: 4:00-5:30pm
LOCATION: Mosaic Family Health, 229 S. Morrison St., Appleton, WI 54911
See our Workshop Flyer for more information (PDF)

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. Unless otherwise noted below, all Memory Cafés run from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. There are a number of Memory Café locations throughout Calumet, Outagamie and Waupaca Counties, as listed below (Memory Cafés are listed alphabetically by County, then City):

‣ CALUMET COUNTY

  • AriensCo Museum
    3rd Tuesday of the month
    109 Claumet St.
    Brillion, WI 54110
  • Brillion Nature Center
    1st Tuesday of the month
    W1135 Deer View Rd,
    Brillion, WI 54110
  • Chilton Ledge View Nature Center
    2nd Tuesday of the month
    W2348 Short Rd
    Chilton, WI 53014
‣ OUTGAMIE COUNTY
  • Meade Street Bistro
    1st & 3rd Thursday of the month
    2729 N. Meade St.
    Appleton, WI 54911
  • Thompson Center on Lourdes
    2nd Wednesday of the month
    Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
    2331 E Lourdes Dr.
    Appleton, WI 54915
  • Greenville Fox West YMCA
    1st Wednesday of the month
    W6931 School Road
    Greenville, WI 54942
  • Heart of the Valley YMCA
    2nd Thursday of the month
    225 W. Kennedy Avenue
    Kimberly, WI 54136
  • 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
  • New London Mosquito Hill Nature Center
    2nd Wednesday of the month
    N3880 Rogers Road
    New London, WI 54961
‣ WAUPACA COUNTY
  • Neuschafer Community Library of Fremont
    1st Monday of the month
    317 Wolf River Drive
    Fremont, WI 54940
  • New London Senior Center
    4th Monday of the month
    600 W Washington Street
    New London, WI 54961
  • Sturm Memorial Library
    2nd Thursday of the month
    130 N. Bridge St.
    Manawa, WI 54949
  • Waupaca Senior Center
    2nd Monday of the month
    407 School St.
    Waupaca, WI 54981
Additional Memory Cafés may be added, or details can change since this web page was last updated. To see the most detailed and current information for Memory Cafés, please visit the Fox Valley Memory Project's Memory Café Calendar. (Scroll down the FVMP web page to see the calendar, and also a listing by County.)

Support Groups

(Listed alphabetically by City)
  • Dimensions
    3rd Thursday - 10:00 a.m.
    5800 Pennsylvania Ave., Appleton, WI 54914
  • Touchmark on Prospect
    1st Tuesday - 2:30 p.m.
    2601 Touchmark Dr., Appleton
  • Brillion Public Library
    2nd Monday - 1:00 p.m.
    326 N. Main St., Brillion, WI 54110
  • Caregiver Support Group
    St. Paul Elder Services - Hoffman Memory Care Resource Center
    3rd Tuesday - 4:00 p.m.
    221 E. 13th Street, Kaukauna, WI 54130
  • Young Onset Spouse Group
    St. Paul Elder Services - Hoffman Memory Care Resource Center
    3rd Tuesday - 6:00 p.m.
    221 E. 13th Street, Kaukauna, WI 54130
  • TLC Support Group-Fox Valley Memory Project
    Goodwill Community Campus Building
    1st Monday, 2nd Tuesday & 3rd Wednesday of the month - 1:00 p.m.
    1800 Appleton Rd, Menasha, WI 54956
  • Waupaca Public Library
    1st Tuesday - 1:00 p.m.
    107 S. Main St., Waupaca, WI 54981
Additional area Support Groups and resources may be found by visiting the following websites:
  • The Fox Valley Memory Project: Support Group Calendar
  • Alzheimer's Association Support Groups (both in-person and virtual options). Visit www.alz.org/wi — Scroll down to the Resources section and click on the bullet point Support Group Opportunities.
For more information, call Andrea at (715) 258-6400 or Traci at (920) 832-5178.

Dementia-Related Classes

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


 

Additional Resources & Programs

  • 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.

    • Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass
      165 N. Park Ave, Neenah
      2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:30am
      (920) 751-4658
      You may also visit the museum's website for more information or to register
    • Trout Museum of Art
      111 W. College Ave., Appleton in the Main Gallery
      2nd Monday of each month at 1:00pm
      Art Educator: Cristian Andersson
      (920) 733-4089
      You may also visit the museum's website for more information or to register
  • 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 Traci at (920) 832-5178.
  • Alzheimer's Association of Wisconsin
    www.alz.org/wi
  • REACH Caregiver Support
    Susan Kazik
    (920) 560-7167
    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
For more information on these programs, please contact our Dementia Care Specialists with the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Calumet, Outagamie & Waupaca Counties: