Introduction
As Americans live longer, more of us will develop dementia in our older years. New knowledge and techniques are helping doctors detect signs of the disease earlier than ever before. An earlier diagnosis gives people with the disease and their families more time to get the right treatment and to plan for the future. More and more resources are available to help people with early-stage dementia cope with their feelings and the practical aspects of everyday life. Early-stage support groups are one of these resources. Joining an early-stage support group can help you and your family learn about the disease and get useful advice about living with dementia. A support group also can connect you with others in similar situations and enable you to confront the anxiety, sadness, anger, or fear that you might be experiencing. This booklet was developed by the early-stage support group at the Northwestern University Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago. The authors chose to share their thoughts and feelings because they wanted to help others who also are facing the beginning stages of dementia. Here, you’ll find firsthand views about a diagnosis, what to expect, how to talk with others about the disease, and more. You’ll also find a list of helpful organizations that offer written materials about dementia, information about support groups and services, and ways to get involved in research that may help others in the future. I
