Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resources

About Dementia & Alzheimer’s

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a general term for a decline in memory, thinking, reasoning, and other cognitive abilities that is severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Dementia is not one specific disease. There are many different types and causes of dementia, and some people may have more than one type.

  • Memory loss
  • Confusion with time or place
  • Difficulty planning or solving problems
  • Language and communication problems
  • Changes in judgment or behavior
  • Difficulty completing familiar daily activities

The signs, symptoms, progression, and treatment of dementia can vary depending on the underlying cause.

Dementia Is Not a Normal Part of Aging

Some changes in memory and thinking can occur as people get older, but dementia is not a normal part of aging. If memory loss or changes in thinking begin to interfere with everyday activities, talking with a healthcare professional can help identify possible causes and appropriate next steps.

What Causes Dementia?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but it is not the only one. Other causes and types include:

  • Alzheimer’s disease – A progressive disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
  • Vascular dementia – Caused by conditions that damage blood vessels in the brain, often following a stroke or a series of small strokes.
  • Lewy body dementia – Associated with abnormal protein deposits in the brain and may involve changes in thinking, movement, sleep, and visual perception.
  • Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) – A group of disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain and can cause changes in behavior, personality, language, or movement.
  • Mixed dementia – When a person has more than one type of dementia or more than one underlying brain condition contributing to cognitive decline.

Other conditions can also cause dementia or dementia-like symptoms. A medical evaluation can help determine the underlying cause and identify conditions that may be treatable.

Dementia & Community Resources

Dementia-Friendly Communities

Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania
Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania promotes collaborative partnerships that raise awareness, increase knowledge, reduce stigma, and engage community members in transforming Pennsylvania into an inclusive place for people living with dementia. The website includes resources, a dementia-friendly events calendar, and information about Dementia Friendly Communities throughout Pennsylvania.

Dementia Information & Support

Dementia Society of America
1-800-DEMENTIA (1-800-336-3684)
Provides an information hotline, online resources, and a web-based locator to help individuals and families find support. Resources include Aware and Share Cards, The Big Umbrella caregiver guide, Operation KeepSafe, and no-cost or low-cost medical ID kits for people living with Mild Cognitive Impairment or dementia and their care partners.

Dementia Action Alliance
732-212-9036
Provides information, peer support, online discussion groups, podcasts, a resource center, and other services for people living with dementia and their families. The organization’s programs are shaped and informed by people living with dementia.

Pathways to Well-being with Dementia
A free online manual offering practical information, guidance, and inspiration for living with dementia.

Specific Types of Dementia

Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)
267-514-7221 | Helpline: 1-866-507-7222
Provides information, resources, and support for people living with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) and their care partners, as well as education for healthcare professionals.

Lewy Body Dementia Association
Lewy Line: 800-539-9767
Raises awareness of Lewy body dementias and provides support and resources for people living with LBD, families, and caregivers.

American Stroke Association
Stroke Family Warmline: 1-888-4-STROKE
Provides information about vascular dementia, stroke, post-stroke recovery, caregiver tools, and related resources.

Lorenzo’s House
312-319-8797
Focuses on younger-onset dementia and provides support for families and care partners, including carepartner matching, youth initiatives, respite, and healing spaces.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation
Toll-Free Helpline: 1-800-659-1991
Supports families affected by prion diseases through education, referrals, support groups, medical education, and research.

Caregiver Resources

Communication Tips

  • Use short, simple sentences
  • Ask one question at a time
  • Allow extra time to respond
  • Reduce distractions

Daily Care

  • Establish routines
  • Focus on safety at home
  • Use reminders for medication
  • Encourage familiar activities

Caregiver Help

PA CareKit
A free resource from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging with tools, information, and support to help caregivers learn more, plan ahead, and find a moment to catch their breath. The CareKit is available online and in print, with resources tailored to different caregiving situations.

HFC
HFC supports families affected by Alzheimer’s disease through caregiver programs, brain health education, support groups, wellness webinars, and its Care Grant program, which can provide eligible caregivers with 3–6 months of professional in-home care.

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
1-866-232-8484
Provides support, services, education, caregiver resources, and a National Memory Screening Program offering free, confidential memory screenings at participating locations.

Local & Pennsylvania Resources

Finding Local Services

PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources
1-800-753-8827
Connects older adults and people with disabilities with local services and supports, helps individuals explore options for maintaining independence, and assists with applications to determine eligibility for funding and services.

Monroe County Area Agency on Aging
The mission of the Area Agency on Aging is to strengthen family life, assist individuals in attaining or maintaining independence and self-care and protect adults in danger of neglect, abuse or exploitation.

Eldercare Locator
1-800-677-1116
A nationwide service connecting older adults and caregivers with local agencies, community organizations, and other trusted support resources.

Additional Support

Family Caregiver Alliance
1-800-445-8106
Provides caregiver education, resources, webinars, videos, fact sheets, and the Family Care Navigator, which helps families locate caregiver support programs and services.

Statewide Elder Abuse Helpline
1-800-490-8505
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for suspected elder abuse or abuse of an adult living with a disability.

SAGE – Advocacy & Services for LGBT Elders
877-360-LGBT (5428)
Provides advocacy, support services, and resources for LGBT older adults, including the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging and the SAGE Hotline.

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Center for Brain Health Equity
202-410-5199
Works with healthcare providers and community organizations to develop culturally tailored brain health strategies, with a focus on communities disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

National Information & Support

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Help

Alzheimer’s Association
24-Hour Helpline: 1-800-272-3900
Provides support groups, educational resources, information, and assistance for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and the public.

National Institute on Aging – ADEAR Center
1-800-438-4380
The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADEAR) Center provides free information about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, caregiving, home safety, research, clinical trials, and local support services. Free dementia publications are available in multiple languages.

Order Free NIA Dementia Publications
Free educational materials about dementia and caregiving are available in multiple languages.

Brain Health & Memory

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
1-866-232-8484
Provides education, support, services, caregiver resources, memory screenings, and training for professional caregivers and dementia-care settings.

Penn Memory Center
215-662-7810
Provides evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, information, classes, support, and research opportunities related to progressive memory loss and other age-related progressive memory disorders.

University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
412-692-2700
Provides diagnostic assessments, education, counseling, referrals, caregiver support groups, and opportunities to participate in research studies.