Blog

Facing Memory Loss With Confidence

Doctor comforting elderly patientIt's okay to feel fear, frustration, or uncertainty about memory loss. June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, a time to reduce stigma, promote early diagnosis, and share support options for those living with cognitive changes. At Door County Medical Center (DCMC), our Memory Care team walks with individuals and care partners through every step of their journey.

Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer's

Dementia is not a specific disease but rather an umbrella term for a range of neurological conditions that affect memory, thinking, and behavior in ways that interfere with daily life. Though more common with age, dementia is not a routine part of aging. It results from damage to brain cells and their connections, which disrupts the brain's ability to function properly. In some cases, rare genetic factors are involved, but the cause remains unclear for most.

There are several types of dementia, including:

  • Alzheimer's disease is marked by the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. It is the most common form of dementia.

  • Vascular dementia is linked to stroke or blood vessel damage.

  • Lewy body dementia is associated with movement and mood symptoms.

  • Frontotemporal dementia, often diagnosed in younger adults, affects behavior or language.

  • Mixed dementia occurs when more than one type of dementia occurs together.

"Sometimes dementia is caused by Alzheimer's, but other times it could be due to mood changes, medication side effects, vitamin deficiencies, or even sleep issues," says Christy Wisniewski, CMC, Outreach Specialist for Rehab and Memory Care at DCMC. "That's why it's so important to get an early evaluation. We want to rule out reversible causes and connect people to the right care."

When should I be concerned?

Woman with memory lossWhile some forgetfulness is a natural part of aging, specific symptoms may signal something more serious:

  1. Frequently forgetting conversations or appointments
  2. Trouble with familiar tasks
  3. Difficulty coming up with words or names
  4. Behavioral or mood changes

"It's tricky because we normalize it—' Oh, I forget things too,'" says Wisniewski. "But if changes don't feel normal to you, trust your gut."

DCMC offers free memory consultations throughout Door and Kewaunee Counties, available at our clinics or in the comfort of your own home. These consultations explore potential causes of memory issues through screenings and comprehensive interviews. "The goal is to tease out what's normal aging and what's not," says Wisniewski. "And that knowledge gives people power and choice."

This information can be shared with the person's primary care provider or as part of a comprehensive diagnostic consultation. After evaluation with DCMC's Memory Clinic team, the participant receives additional testing and follow-up to identify the cause and treatment recommendations.

"If there is a care partner, we involve that person in the evaluation process as well, so we can make sure everyone is receiving knowledge, resources, and support," says Wisniewski.

Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline

Ear diagram and hearing lossOne often underestimated factor in dementia risk is hearing loss. "People with untreated hearing loss in midlife are three to five times more likely to develop dementia than those with normal hearing," says Wisniewski. "The brain is working overtime to decode what it's hearing, which reduces the ability to focus on memory or comprehension."

In addition to cognitive overload, hearing loss can lead to shrinkage in brain regions tied to memory. It may cause people to withdraw from social interaction, another known risk factor for cognitive decline. "It all adds up. The more isolated or overworked the brain becomes, the more vulnerable it is," she adds.

Treatment, Therapies, and Collaboration

Memory care team looking at brain CT scanFollowing a diagnosis, DCMC takes a team-based, person-centered approach to dementia care. The Memory Clinic team stays closely involved with patients and their care partners, offering support and treatment designed to preserve independence and quality of life.

Memory Clinic patients receive follow-up care from a multidisciplinary team, including occupational therapists, speech therapists, and care managers (nurses and social workers trained specifically in dementia care).

"Everything we do is about preserving quality of life," says Wisniewski. "Our care managers become bridges between patients, families, and the entire care team. They know what questions to ask, what resources to connect people with, and how to keep the lines of communication open."

Occupational and Speech Therapists work one-on-one with patients to enhance cognitive function, support daily living skills, and promote safety at home. These services may include:

  • Cognitive and functional assessments
  • Driving evaluations and recommendations
  • Home visits for safety and routine planning
  • Personalized strategies for daily tasks

Further, the Memory Clinic collaborates with local partners, including the Aging and Disability Resource Center, Sunflower Cottage, Door County YMCA, and the Alzheimer's Association. Through these partnerships, families can access support groups, hands-on workshops, educational events, and brain health programs throughout the year.

"Families who move here from big cities are amazed by the level of support and collaboration in Door County. It really does take a village."

While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, groundbreaking research is offering new hope. One area of promise is monoclonal antibody treatment, which targets and helps remove amyloid plaques—one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's—and can slow disease progression.

Other emerging therapies in development include anti-inflammatory medications, preventive injections, and repurposed drugs that may reduce Alzheimer's risk.

"It's an exciting time in research," says Wisniewski. "But these treatments are most effective when started early. That's why early detection is so important."

Reducing Stigma and Promoting Understanding

Memory care stigmaAlzheimer's and other forms of dementia are often misunderstood. "People hear 'dementia' and think only of memory loss," says Wisniewski. "But it can also mean difficulty with communication, problem-solving, organization, or even personality changes."

Another common misconception is that 'nothing can be done'. Early diagnosis allows for timely treatment of underlying causes, enables lifestyle changes, and facilitates planning for the future. "And that's a gift, not just to the person but to everyone who loves them," says Wisniewski.

She continues: "Dementia is a condition, not a character flaw. You are not unintelligent. You are not 'going crazy'. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Dementia should be treated with the same understanding and support we offer to cancer or heart disease."

Reduce your risk of developing dementia by staying physically active, eating a brain-healthy diet, managing changes in hearing and other sensory functions, keeping up with regular medical visits, and remaining mentally and socially engaged. Research has shown protective benefits and slower progression when these lifestyle recommendations are followed, particularly by those who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other causes of dementia.

If you or someone you love is experiencing memory changes, Door County Medical Center is here to help. Call (920) 746-3504 to schedule a free memory consultation.

A Note on Caregiving

Caring for someone with dementia is emotionally and physically taxing.

"You will sometimes be overwhelmed, frustrated, sad, even resentful, as those best-laid future plans change. Best to acknowledge that early and not succumb to the guilt it causes," says Wisniewski.

For those who support a loved one with dementia, burnout is real and can be dangerous. "Caregivers have higher rates of illness and even earlier mortality," Wisniewski says. "That's why building your support team early and caring for your health is so important. Whether it's a friend lending an ear, a neighbor stepping in, or a support group meeting—those small things make a big difference."

She encourages caregivers to connect with local programs, take advantage of educational opportunities, and maintain both physical and mental well-being. "Above all," she adds, "maintain your sense of humor. It's one of the most powerful tools caregivers have."

Sources:

Alzheimer's.gov. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.alzheimers.gov/alzheimers-dementias/what-is-dementia.

Published 6/1/2025 6:00:00 AM
Tags: alzheimer's disease, memory clinic, news

Search our blog

Popular Tags

3D Mammography   75   75th   acid reflux   addiction   adrc   advance directive   Affective   alcohol   Algoma   Algoma Community Wellness Center   als   alzheimer's disease   Ambassador   American College of Healthcare Executives   Angel Ball   anniversary   antibody treatment   anti-bullying   apnea   art   art for health   art gallery   arthritis   athlete   athletic edge camp   athletic trainer   Auxiliary   award   awards   Awareness   back   behavioral health   bill   bone marrow transplant   Bravo   Breast Cancer Awareness Month   breast cancer prevention   breastfeeding   Brian   brussels sprout slaw   Burkitt Leukemia   C.H.I.P.   cancer   cardiac   cardiopulmonary services   care manager   cataracts   catholic   catholic sisters   Celebrate Community   celebration   center   Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services   ceremony   certification   childcare   children   CHNA   cold flu prevention   colon cancer   colonoscopy   community   community health   Community outreach   Coronavirus   COVID 19   COVID-19 booster   COVID-19 vaccine   critical access hospital   CT scanner   cyberbullying   da Vinci robot   da Vinci Surgical System   daisy award   Daylight Savings Time   DCMC   DCMC Auxiliary   DCMC staff   dementia   dental clinic   dentist   depot   depression   dermatology   diabetes   diagnostic imaging   Diana Wallace   diet   directcare   Disorder   dogs   Domestic Violence Awareness   donate   donor   Door County   Door County CARES   door county half marathon   Door County Meals Cooperative   door county schools   Door County Triathlon   Door County YMCA   Door Healthy Weight Center   Door Orthopedic Center   Dr. Daniel Tomaszewski   Dr. Elizabeth Gaida   Dr. Mark Jordan   Dr. Michael St. Jean   Dr. Reisner   Dr. Rory Johnson   Dr. Shaun Melarvie   drive-through clinic   e-cigs   economic impact   economy   Edge 3D   Education   emergency department   employee art   employment   environment   environmental stewardship   exercise   eye surgery   fair   Family   family medicine   family practice   farmer's market   first responders   fitness   five   five star hospital   Florence Nightingale   flu   foot   foot pain   Foundation   fundraiser   gallery   gardening   general surgery   Gerald   GERD   gynecological procedures   handwashing   happy holidays   head   health   health insurance   health tips   healthcare   healthcare career   healthcare decisions   healthcare leader   healthcare leaders   healthy eating   heart   heart healthy   heart-attack   heartburn   Heartburn and Reflux Center   Help Our Heroes   hernia   hernia screening   hip replacement   history   HOPELINE   hospice   hospital   House and Garden Walk   HPV   Human Kindness Project   immunization   infant   insomnia   insurance workshop   international overdose awareness day   internships   job   job openings   jody boes   joint replacement   June   kelsie ladick   kids   Kids' health   kim   knee replacement   Lab Drive-Thru   LEAP   lice   life   LifeAssist   living will   luke spude   lyme disease   mammography   marinara sauce   medical services   medication   memory   memory clinic   memory loss   men's health   men's health month   mental health   mental illness   milk   ministry   ministry fund   mission and values   MRI   National Donate Life Month   national heath decisions day   national hospital week   National Nurses Week   National Organ Donation Day   National Women’s History Month   navigator   New Year   newborn   news   no surprise act   non-profits   North Shore Medical Clinic   Northeast Wisconsin Technical College   novel coronavirus   nurse   nursing   nursing excellence   nursing program   nutrition   nwtc   obesity   OB-GYN   open house   ophthalmologist   opioid   OPSU   organ   organ donor   orthopedics   outpatient surgery   outreach   pap test   patient   patient care   patient financial services   Patti Balestrieri   Paula Hobart   pediatrics   pelvic health   pets   physical activity   physical therapy   plastic surgery   podiatrist   post exercise tips   PRC   Prevea   prevention   primary care   Providers   race   recipe   recovery   recruitment   reflux   rehab services   resolutions   respiratory illness   robotic surgery   rotator cuff repair   RSV   running   rural   rural healthcare   SAAM   SAD   safe haven   scholarship   scholarships   school   School Nursing   Seasonal   senior life solutions   senior therapy   Seniors   services   sexual assault   Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner   Shop and Dine Day   Sister Bay   Sister Bay Clinic   skilled nursing   skilled nursing facility   skin cancer   Sleep   sleep disorder   sleep lab   smoking   snf   social justice   sparc   specialty providers   sports   sports medicine   sports training   St. Francis   star   state-of-the-art   Stephens   stroke patients   studer group   suicide awareness   suicide awareness month   suicide prevention   summer   summer programs   sun care   surgery   sweet dreams   swiggum   technology   Teen health   Teens   telemedicine   teleNICU   telepediatrics   The Angel Ball   The Community's Garden   The Healing Project   therapy   ticks   tissue donor   to   tooth fairy   training tips   Treatment   triathlon   urgent care   vaccination   vaccinations   vaccine   vaping   virtual appontments   virtual visit   vision   vlog   volunteers   wall   Washington Island   wellness   Wendy Ulrikson   women's center   women's health   work injuries   world breastfeeding week   Worrick   wound care   years   YMCA   youth workshops