Dementia: What You Need to Know
Connect with a Health Care Professional
“We were grieving the death of our father when our mother began exhibiting signs of dementia.” What Kay regrets most is her family not taking action sooner. It was in the early 2000s, and Kay says, “it wasn’t talked about much back then and there were less resources.”
Dementia defined: Dementia is not a specific disease. It is an overall term that describes a decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life.It affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
Twenty-five years later, there is a growing community of support nationwide. In Central Indiana, a partner providing answers, support and services for the aging, is CICOA. Holly Hess is their Dementia Programs Coordinator.
Reducing the stigma of dementia is a goal of the programs Holly manages. “It is important for caregivers, family members, and the public to understand there is more to the person than their dementia diagnosis,” she explains.
Memory Cafes are social gatherings held across the state. The focus of a Memory Cafe varies depending on the sponsors and could vary from arts and crafts, playing games, walking groups, music, or flower arranging. It is a concept, not a licensed program. Holly says, “it gives the patient an opportunity to have fun, learn something new, and reduces social isolation.”
Nationally, there are many places that offer resources and support for people with dementia. Visit: https://www.alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/find-local-services
Dementia Friends Indiana, is an initiative delivering information sessions across the state. The sessions are led by trained volunteer “champions.” CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions is the state administrator. Holly explained the variety of volunteers, “For example, in Delaware and Union counties, we have champions delivering information sessions in schools and churches to children in grades K-12. Youth can also attend sessions to become a Dementia Friend, which is a person committed to making a positive difference in the lives of people with dementia.”
Since January 2023, Indianapolis became recognized as a Dementia Friendly Community. The mission statement of Dementia Friendly Indianapolis is to create a welcoming environment for those living with dementia and their care partners through C.A.R.E. (community events, awareness, resources, education.) It is governed by a cross sector action team. Visit www.dfindy.org for more information.
One of the accomplishments of the dementia initiatives Holly leads is the widespread reach of partners. “I am proud that people in Indianapolis see the value and promote the value of being a Dementia Friendly Community. We’ve grown from ten cross sector partners to more than one hundred.”
After Kay’s experience with her mother, she ensured her adult children are equipped to manage a potential dementia diagnosis by having open, honest conversations about her wishes. “We had the hard conversations. I also did the legal paperwork and reviewed it with my kids.” Hopefully, they won’t need it, but she doesn’t want them to experience additional stress.
Over 4% of adults age 65 and older had a dementia diagnosis in 2022 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The percentage of adults with a dementia diagnosis increased with age from 1.7% for those ages 65-74; 5.7% for those ages 75-84; and 13.1% for those 85 and older. (From the National Health Statistics Report, Number 203, June 13, 2024.)
Action Item: Discuss concerns about cognitive decline with your health care professional.
Brenda, thank you for redirecting our minds to dementia. While we may think it is widely talked about in the 21st century, there are countries where dementia is identified as witchcraft. How does one change that mindset?