Dementia

Specialists at IU Health can help you manage your symptoms

Dementia refers to a group of diseases that affect the brain and cause memory loss and difficulty with communicating and thinking. IU Health specialists use sophisticated technology to diagnose dementia and provide innovative treatment to manage it.

Some of the diseases that cause dementia include:

Understanding Dementia

Some of the diseases that cause dementia include:

Common symptoms of dementia include:

  • Memory loss, especially short-term memory
  • Difficulty finding the right words to say in everyday language
  • Mood changes
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Slower reasoning and comprehension
  • Confusion

Symptoms

Common symptoms of dementia include:

  • Memory loss, especially short-term memory
  • Difficulty finding the right words to say in everyday language
  • Mood changes
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Slower reasoning and comprehension
  • Confusion

Support for Caregivers: IU Health GUIDE Program

The IU Health GUIDE Program is a free program offered by IU Health to support individuals with dementia and their caregivers. It’s designed to make life easier, give caregivers the resources they need and help individuals suffering from dementia stay in their homes longer.

What GUIDE Offers

  • A personalized care plan and dedicated care coach
  • Ongoing caregiver education and support
  • Respite services for those who qualify
  • Coordination with your medical team and community resources

GUIDE is a voluntary Medicare program; Medicare benefits will not change for those who participate. You can still see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.

Who Qualifies

  • A confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia
  • Enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B (Medicare as primary insurance) and
  • Not enrolled in Medicare Advantage, hospice, PACE or living in a long-term nursing facility

IU Health is here to help. Get started by calling 866.882.2708 for more information to see if you or your loved one is eligible to obtain free support.

If you have dementia, you want the best possible care possible to help you preserve your memory and ability to think, speak and reason. IU Health takes a team approach to your care. Your team includes neurologists, neuroradiologists and neuropsychologists. Together, our experts provide complete, compassionate care and support for you.

Through collaboration with Indiana University School of Medicine, the dementia team works to improve treatment options and discover better diagnostic and risk factors for earlier treatment. While no cure for dementia exists, you can improve your symptoms of dementia with:

  • Daily exercise
  • A diet high in vitamin D, vegetables, fruits and Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Doing puzzles and memory games
  • Avoiding alcohol and other substances

Your physician may also prescribe one of several medications that can temporarily help boost memory and judgment.

Are There Treatment Options for Dementia?

If you have dementia, you want the best possible care possible to help you preserve your memory and ability to think, speak and reason. IU Health takes a team approach to your care. Your team includes neurologists, neuroradiologists and neuropsychologists. Together, our experts provide complete, compassionate care and support for you.

Through collaboration with Indiana University School of Medicine, the dementia team works to improve treatment options and discover better diagnostic and risk factors for earlier treatment. While no cure for dementia exists, you can improve your symptoms of dementia with:

  • Daily exercise
  • A diet high in vitamin D, vegetables, fruits and Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Doing puzzles and memory games
  • Avoiding alcohol and other substances

Your physician may also prescribe one of several medications that can temporarily help boost memory and judgment.

MedlinePlus

This is the National Institutes of Health's website for patients and their families and friends. It has information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues.

Alz.org

This website provides information about Alzheimer's and other diseases of dementia, including care, support and research.

Resources

MedlinePlus

This is the National Institutes of Health's website for patients and their families and friends. It has information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues.

Alz.org

This website provides information about Alzheimer's and other diseases of dementia, including care, support and research.