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 Tree Illustration by Jenny 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 .