Early Stage Dementia
Symptoms:
- Trouble with the more executive cognitive functions like planning and judgment
- Difficulties in problem solving, and possibly trouble planning ahead to prevent problems
- Begin to show signs of having trouble with abstract thought, and/or difficulty grasping “the big picture”
- Have difficulties with complicated tasks they were previously able to perform well and with satisfaction
*note that there may be overlap with other stages
Resources & Recommendations:
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Talk to healthcare provider at least annually
- Potential disease modifying treatments
- Consider clinical trials
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Planning Ahead
- Advance Care Planning
- Start the Conversation
- Advance Healthcare Directive
- Power of Attorney
- If I need help with my daily activities one day, what are my care preferences?
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Financial Guidance
Place safeguards on finances and ask trusted people for support.
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Home safety tips
- Fall risk
- Tracker info
- Signs for direction/cues around the house
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Support groups for person living with dementia and caregivers
Visit our Events page to learn more!
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Wandering
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Transportation
- Apply for parking permit for person with a disability
- TSA Cares Notification Card for disability
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I need help taking care of my person living with dementia. Who can help?
Private Home care
Home care offers non-medical services such as cooking, cleaning, personal grooming, transportation, and companionship. It is usually paid for privately by the patient or covered through long-term care insurance.
Home health care
Home health care offers both home care and medical services to patients. These services include medication management, wound care, pain management, and more. To qualify for home health care, patients must meet specific eligibility criteria, and the services are typically covered by Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance plans.
Adult day care
Adult day care offers support and companionship to older adults who need supervision during the day. These programs give family members and caregivers respite, giving them the chance to work, take care of errands, or rest. Adult day care services may be partially covered by Medicaid and some Medicare Advantage plans, depending on eligibility and plan details. These services can also be paid for privately.
Resource Library
ALS Network
Care management, support groups, online info, advocacy, education/webinars
- Types: Education & Training, Guidance & Counseling, Info & Resources, Support Groups & Community
- Stages: Early, Middle, Late
- Areas: National, Statewide, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Oahu
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Contact:
Cherryl Fluke, Rex Like
Alu Like, Native Hawaiian Caregiver Support
Info & assistance accessing services, Counseling, Support Groups, respite services
- Types: Guidance & Counseling, Support Groups & Community
- Stages: Early, Middle
- Areas: Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Statewide
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Contact:
ph: (808) 535-6700
Alzheimer’s Association Hawaiʻi Chapter
support groups, counseling, educational presentations, resources and info on website
- Types: Education & Training, Guidance & Counseling, Info & Resources, Support Groups & Community, Specializing in Advocacy
- Stages: Before, Early, Middle, Late
- Areas: Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Statewide, National, Online
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Contact:
LJ Duenas, Ivy Castellano, Coby Chock. To register for support group, please call 808.518.6651.
Caregiver Connection of Hawaiʻi
Support groups, online resource library
- Types: Info & Resources, Support Groups & Community
- Stages: Early, Middle, Late
- Areas: Online
Catholic Charities Hawaii
guidance, education/training, REACH program
- Types: Education & Training, Guidance & Counseling, Info & Resources
- Stages: Early, Middle, Late
- Areas: Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Statewide
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Contact:
Diane Terada, Jody Mishan
Senior Help Line Phone: (808) 527-4777
View More Resources
Select the stage of dementia your person is in. This will take you to resources curated for caregiving in that stage.
Mild Cognitive Impairment (Before)
Experiencing difficulty with word recall and comprehension, memory for appointments and familiar locations, and challenges with decision-making, task completion, and following instructions may indicate cognitive impairment.
Mid Stage Dementia
Mid-stage dementia involves increased memory loss for personal history and recent events, confusion about time and location, a tendency to wander, and the emergence of personality and behavioral changes such as suspiciousness, delusions, or repetitive behaviors.
Late Stage Dementia
In late-stage dementia, individuals require constant care for daily activities, lose awareness of their surroundings and recent events, experience physical decline affecting mobility and swallowing, and become more susceptible to infections like pneumonia.
Support Groups & Upcoming Events
May 19th from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Alzheimer's Association Hawaiʻi Chapter (Oʻahu) Caregiver Support Group
We offer support groups for caregivers and individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. All support groups are facilitated by trained individuals. Support groups create a safe, confidential, supportive environment […]
May 20th from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Caregiver Foundation Caregiver Support Group
The Caregiver Foundation hosts a monthly virtual support group for Caregivers. These groups provide a space for Caregivers to come together, share experiences, and build community. We also feature guest […]
May 20th from 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Gimme-A-Break Caregiver Support Group
Gimme A Break offers free support, resources and more through our Weekly Support Sessions, online and in-person every Tuesday evening Join our Community! Do it for you! You are never […]
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