Dementia Road Map

A Guide For Families and Care Partners

  • Guide

    Most families and caregivers report they are not prepared for life with dementia and that they would welcome some type of “Road Map.” This document is designed to be just that. It provides a look at the big picture and the road ahead—and offers direction and tips about what to expect, what decisions lie ahead, and what steps to take.

    Download your copy here

  • Differences

    Dementia is a general term referring to a loss of cognitive function—remembering, thinking, and reasoning—severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Dementia is not a specific disease or a specific diagnosis, but an overall term describing a wide range of symptoms. It is not normal aging. Dementia is caused by damage to the brain from disease or trauma.

  • Direction

    The Dementia Road Map has “action steps” throughout the booklet to help you take the next step to helping yourself or others. When the tasks of setting up your own support seems impossible, this is a great way to become aware of what isn’t always common knowledge. It is important to “know what you don’t know” so that you can feel better prepared for the “must do” tasks and refocus your attention on what is most important, your relationships and living well in the moments of this life.

En Español

Dementia Friendly Bloomington:

Healthcare and Social Services committee

We are advocating for change in Bloomington and throughout the state so those living with dementia are able to act with autonomy and are given access to resources.

Together as a team we worked on this Dementia Road Map from it’s original template that was written by the Dementia Action Collaborative from Washington state.

A special thanks to Suzanne Allen and IU Corps for connecting us with Nicholas Beer, an Indiana University student who helped create this roadmap.

*This Road Map was originally designed to compliment the resources of southern Indiana.

With growing interest, look for newer versions to be posted as we look to update the 2nd version to target the whole state.

*References to www.dfbloomington.org have been replaced with this current website with links to all the communities on the community listings page.

Words to Live By:

Volunteer, advocate, caregiver alumnus, and friend Gerald Gonyo lives by “TOODAT” or “Take One Day at A Time.” The expression is inspired by the Dalai Lama who states:

“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday, and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, and mostly live.” - Dalai Lama