Below is a glossary of resources for both health care professionals and individuals newly diagnosed with MCI or dementia about navigating life following a diagnosis. Links and resources will be updated over time.
Listen to "What Now? Next Steps After Receiving an MCI Diagnosis" on the Dementia Matters podcast with guest Jennifer McAlister.
The Diagnosis
A diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia reflects a doctor’s best judgment about the cause of a person’s symptoms.
- Questions for your doctor
- Why was I diagnosed with this form of dementia?
- Where am I in the course of the disease?
- What can I expect in the future?
- How to Get a Diagnosis
- What to Bring to a Memory Assessment
- What is dementia?
Dementia describes symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning or other thinking skills. Many different types of dementia exist and it is not a normal part of aging. It is caused by damage to brain cells that affect a person’s ability to communicate, which can affect thinking, behavior and feelings.
- Types of Dementias
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
- Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s
- Frontotemporal Dementia
- Huntington’s Disease
- Korsakoff Syndrome
- Lewy Body Dementia
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Mixed Dementia
- Podcast episode: Mixed Dementia, Explained
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
- Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
- Posterior Cortical Atrophy
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Vascular Dementia
- Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE)
- Treatment
Treatment goals will likely change over time. It is important to work closely with the doctor and other members of the health care team to create the best treatment plan. Learn more about medications for memory, cognition and dementia-related behaviors online.
Emotional Considerations After Diagnosis
- Emotional Impact
Receiving a diagnosis of MCI, Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia is life-changing for both diagnosed individuals and those close to them. It is normal to experience a range of emotions after receiving a diagnosis. Acknowledging them can be an empowering first step in coping with the challenges ahead.
- Telling Others
Sharing the diagnosis with others is an important step toward integrating the disease into your life. It is common for someone to hesitate to share their diagnosis with others. Learn more about sharing your diagnosis.
Need help deciding whether to share your diagnosis or make other big decisions? View and download a PDF of a decision-making tool online.
- Impact on Relationships
A diagnosis of MCI or irreversible dementia may affect someone’s relationships with family and friends. While abilities may change over time, living well with a diagnosis depends on how one chooses to continue being a partner in the relationship.
Related podcast episode: Let’s Talk: Navigating Family Conversations About Dementia Through Shared Decision-Making
- Overcoming Stigma
Facing stigma is often a primary concern of people living with dementia and their care partners. Those with the disease report being misunderstood because of the myths and misconceptions other have about the disease.
Next Steps: Moving Forward
Make connections and take advantage of resources. There are people who understand what it is like to receive these diagnoses. There is much that a person living in the early stages can do to cope with the changes ahead.
- Read More
- Plan for the Future
- Legal Planning
- Financial Planning
- Building a Care Team
- End-of-Life Planning
- Podcast episode: Difficult but Beneficial Conversations about End-of-Life Care
Need help deciding whether to share your diagnosis or make other big decisions? View and download a PDF of a decision-making tool online.
- Get Educated: Listen or Watch
- Get Support, Build Community, Stay Engaged
Online Resources for Individuals Newly Diagnosed
- Support
- Community Partners
- Safety
- Research
- National Institute on Aging: Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center: Volunteer for a Study
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Open Studies
- Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention
- Wisconsin Brain Donor Program
Want to learn about why you should participate in research? Listen to our Voices of Research Participants podcast series where participants share why they got involved.
- Clinical Trials
