Don’t Face it Alone
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can bring many challenges—for individuals, families, and caregivers. At the ADRC of Waupaca County, we’re here to provide guidance, support, and local resources to help you navigate each step of the journey. Whether you’re looking for memory screening, caregiver education, support groups, or long-term care planning, you don’t have to face it alone. We’re here to help.
Additional Information
(Adapted from: Alzheimer’s Association)
- The terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” are often used interchangeably, but they are different.
- Dementia is a broad (umbrella) term for changes in memory, thinking, or reasoning. There are many possible causes, including Alzheimer’s disease.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is not a normal part of aging—it’s a progressive brain disease that worsens over time.
- Two abnormal brain structures involved:
- Plaques: protein fragments (beta-amyloid) that build up between nerve cells.
- Tangles: twisted fibers of the tau protein that build up inside cells.
- Two abnormal brain structures involved:
- Other Common Types of Dementia:
- Vascular dementia: caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often following a stroke.
- Lewy body dementia (LBD): caused by buildup of alpha-synuclein protein; early signs include hallucinations and sleep problems.
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD): caused by cell degeneration in the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes.
Visit alz.org/dementia to learn more about types of dementia.
The ADRC of Waupaca County provides education and support, led by a Dementia Care Specialist, including:
- Stress-Busting for Caregivers: Dementia (Location Varies)
- Evidence-based program for caregivers
- Teaches stress management, problem-solving, and emotional support
- 9 weekly 90-minute sessions, offered annually
- Call 715-258-6400 to learn more
- Dementia Live Simulation Experience (Location Varies)
- 1-hour, in-person experience using sensory-altering gear
- Helps participants understand and empathize with those living with dementia
- Call 715-258-6400 for upcoming events
- Community Presentations (offered by the Dementia Care Specialist)
- Do You Speak Dementia?
- Dementia 101
- Safety and Dementia
- Brain Health
- Dementia Awareness
Call 715-258-6400 or complete the ADRC Appearance Request Form to schedule.
Caring for someone with dementia can bring many questions and challenges—and you don’t have to face them alone. Browse through these resources and support links designed to help you navigate day-to-day care with confidence and compassion.
- Meet with the Dementia Care Specialist – If you are in need of one-on-one support or looking for additional resources, consider requesting to meet with the Dementia Care Specialist. To request an appointment call 715-258-6400.
- Trualta – Free Online Training and Support
- Wisconsin caregivers now have free access to Trualta—an online education platform designed to support you in your caregiving journey. Trualta offers short, easy-to-follow lessons on a wide range of topics including:
- Communication Changes
- Behavior Management
- Transition from Hospital to Home
- Personal Care
- Activities and Recreation
- Mobility & Falls Prevention
- Documents & Decision Making
- Dementia care
- Safety at home
- Managing stress
- Personal care techniques, and more.
- Learn at your own pace, anytime, from anywhere.
- Visit Wisconsincaregiver.trualta.com or contact the ADRC to get started.
- Thanks to support from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR), and the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance, this resource is available at no cost to Wisconsin caregivers.
- Wisconsin caregivers now have free access to Trualta—an online education platform designed to support you in your caregiving journey. Trualta offers short, easy-to-follow lessons on a wide range of topics including:
- Alzheimer’s Association – Caregiving Resources
- Respite Care Association of Wisconsin – Kit for Caregivers
- National Institute on Aging – Caregiving Resources
- Fox Valley Memory Project: The Fox Valley Memory Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating dementia-friendly communities across Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, and Waupaca counties. They provide a comprehensive suite of support services for people living with dementia and their care partners, including resource navigation, caregiver education, peer support and social engagement through Memory Cafés, Lunch Bunch gatherings, Mindworks respite programming, and professional training for dementia-capable communities.
- Neuroscience Group: The Neuroscience Group, with several convenient locations across the Fox Valley (including Waupaca), offers expert memory care diagnostic and treatment services through their Memory Care Center—featuring neurologists, neuropsychologists, and social workers—along with comprehensive neuroimaging and personalized care plans for individuals with memory disorders and dementia.
- Mosaic Health: Mosaic Family Health offers free, comprehensive support to family caregivers through its RCI REACH program—providing up to 12 at-home sessions focused on Alzheimer’s and memory loss care—as well as personalized caregiver coaching, and a monthly Family Caregiver Support Group (with in-person and virtual attendance options) to offer education, peer connection, and practical coping strategies.
The Dementia Care Specialist program provides free information and assistance to adults with memory or cognitive concerns, to family members and friends who are caregivers, and to the overall communities of Waupaca County.
For more information, click here to download the brochure.
The ADRC of Waupaca County offers free memory screenings performed by a trained Dementia Care Specialist—short, non-invasive assessments that help identify potential changes in memory and cognition, provide an introductory baseline, and, if needed, connect you with guidance, care planning, or medical follow-up.
To request a memory screening call 715-258-6400
Outagamie and Winnebago Counties
- Caregiver Support Group
- St. Paul Elder Services Memory Care Resource Center (221 E. 13th St, Kaukauna)
- 3rd Tuesday of the month 4:00-5:30 pm. Available virtual or in-person, mask required.
- Contact: Courtney Tienor 920-766-6186
- Frontal Temporal Dementia Support Group– for caregivers of those living with this type of dementia
- Goodwill Community Campus, 1800 Appleton Rd, Menasha
- 3rd Monday 1:00-2:00 pm
- Contact: Fox Valley Memory Project 920-225-1711
- Men’s Caregiver Support Group
- Dimensions Living Appleton (5800 Pennsylvania Ave, Appleton)
- 3rd Thursday of the month 10:00 am
- Contact: Mike Rohrkaste 920-284-9507
- Men’s Caregiver Support Group
- Café Nutrition (1350 W. American Drive, Neenah)
- 3rd Tuesday of the month 10:30 am
- Contact: Mike Rohrkaste 920-284-9507
- Support for Spouses of those Living with Young Onset Memory Disorders – diagnosed
- St. Paul Elder Services Memory Care Resource Center (221 E. 13th St. Kaukauna)
- 3rd Tuesday of the month 6:00-7:30 pm Available virtual or in-person, mask required.
- Contact: Courtney Tienor 920-766-6186 OR Julie Feil 920-725-9373 X6850
- Caregiver Support Group
- Miravida Living- Elijah’s Place (225 N. Eagle St. Oshkosh)
- 1st Thursday of the month 1:30-2:30 pm
- Contact: Alzheimer’s Association 1-800-272-3900
- Parkinson’s Support Group (for both person living with PD and care partners)
- Neuroscience Group (1305 W. American Drive, Neenah)
- 4th Monday of the month 2:00-4:00 pm
- Contact: 920-725-9373
- Aphasia Support and Communication Group
- Edenbrook Appleton (2915 N. Meade St, Appleton)
- First Tuesday of the month 4:00-5:00 pm
- Contact: Karrie Matejka 920-993-6817
Waupaca County
- Dementia Caregiver Support Group
- Faith Community Church (N2541 County Road K, Waupaca)
- 2nd and 4th Friday of the month 12:30-2:00 pm
- Contact: Julie Feil 920-725-9373 X6850 OR Denise Roman 715-258-6400
- Dementia Caregiver Support Group
- Bethany Wellness Center (1226 Berlin St. Waupaca)
- 4th Thursday of the month 1:30 pm
- Contact: Casey Brown 715-258-5521
Brown County
- De”Men”tia Men’s Group
- ADRC Brown County (300 S. Adams St, Green Bay)
- 1st Tuesday of the month 2:30-3:30 pm
- Contact: 920-448-4300
Additional resources may be available to you – visit the statewide resource directory to learn more!