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Dementia guide
Dementia changes a family. You don't have to figure it out alone.
Clear, practical guidance for people noticing memory changes, people living with a diagnosis, and the families who care for them — including young-onset dementia.
By the numbers
Alzheimer's Association 2026; Lancet Commission 2024.
Start where you are
What brings you here?
The full guide
Eleven chapters, written plainly.
What is dementia?
Types, stages, and conditions that can look like dementia but are treatable.
Read →Normal aging or warning sign?
Side-by-side: everyday forgetfulness vs. changes worth a doctor's visit.
Read →Dementia, depression, or delirium?
Three conditions often confused — and why telling them apart matters.
Read →Young-onset dementia
When symptoms start before 65: diagnosis, work, children, money and benefits.
Read →Diagnosis & treatment
How evaluation works, the new blood tests, and today's medicines.
Read →Living well with dementia
For the person diagnosed: you are still you. What helps now.
Read →Day-to-day care
Communication, repeated questions, sundowning, wandering, bathing, sleep and safety.
Read →Care options
Home care, adult day centers, respite, memory care, hospice — and how to choose.
Read →Legal & money planning
The documents and decisions to settle early, while everyone can take part.
Read →For families
Caregiver stress, grieving someone still here, siblings, children — and you.
Read →Lowering your risk
The 14 risk factors research says we can change, at any age.
Read →Tools
Keep track. Bring it to the doctor.
Memory Changes Notebook
Write down what you're noticing — examples, dates, medicines — and print one clear page for the appointment.
Start a notebook →Behavior Diary
Log hard moments — what happened, what came before, what helped. The diary shows patterns in time of day and triggers.
Open the diary →Care Circle
Share the caregiving: who drives, who handles medicines, who covers Saturdays. One link for the whole family.
Build a Care Circle →Why no online memory test? Quick online quizzes can't diagnose dementia and often cause needless fear — or false comfort. A doctor's evaluation can also find treatable causes. These tools help you get the most from that visit.
Talk to someone
Help lines for dementia.
Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline
CallFree, any hour, for people living with dementia, caregivers and families — including care consultations with master's-level clinicians. Interpreters in over 200 languages: 1-800-272-3900.
NIA ADEAR Center
CallThe National Institute on Aging's information and referral service, weekdays: 1-800-438-4380.
Eldercare Locator
CallFind local adult day centers, respite, meals, rides and your Area Agency on Aging: 1-800-677-1116.
Sources
- Alzheimer's Association. 2026 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures.
- Livingston et al. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet.
- Alzheimers.gov (U.S. government portal on Alzheimer's and related dementias).
- Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline.
- NIA Alzheimer's and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center.