Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Community Toolbox

The Community Toolbox is a resource library intended for community members and organizations seeking tools and resources to build community awareness of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias including signs and symptoms, benefits of early detection, and services and support for people living with dementia and those who care for them. 

This library was created in consultation with culturally focused organizations who are leading dementia work in Minnesota. 

Early Detection and Education

• African Career Education and Resources Inc. - African Memory Loss Project
• Alzheimer's Association: 10 Early Signs and Symptoms
• Alzheimer's Association: Black Americans and Alzheimer's
• Alzheimer's Association: Hispanic Americans and Alzheimer's
• Alzheimer's Association: Native Americans and Alzheimer's
• Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio - Serving the Latino community and their families to learn about dementia and how to cope with it. 
• Indian Health Services: Alzheimer's Training and Education - The Indian Health Services Alzheimer's grant program works with Tribal and Urban Health programs and clinicians.
• International Association for Indigenous Aging: 10 Signs of Thinking or Memory Changes that Might be Dementia (PDF) 
• Medicare: Cognitive Assessment & Care Plan Services
• National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center - Promotion Brain Health through Education: Insights from Community-based programs and health care systems (PDF).
• Us Against Alzheimer's - Culturally-tailored communication resources
• Volunteers of America: Culturally Responsive Caregiver Support and Dementia Services - Learn more about programming including memory screenings, cultural community events and caregiving support services.

People Living with Dementia

• Act on Alzheimer's - Culturally responsive resources for patients and families. 
• Alzheimer's Association: If you have been diagnosed with dementia, start here to learn more about living with dementia. 
• Alzheimer's Association: Learn more about available treatment options. 
• Dementia Friends Minnesota - Information sessions to increase your understandings of dementia and to help make your community dementia friendly. 
• MinnesotaHelp - Search for services that help older Minnesotans and people with disabilities. 
• National Council of Dementia Minds - Join one of these Dementia Minds Groups today: Black Dementia Minds, Original Dementia Minds, Brotherhood of Dementia Minds, Physicians Living with Dementia and more!

Caregiving

• Alzheimer's Association: How to be a healthy caregiver & caregiver stress check.
• American Heart Association - Tools and resources for healthy eating, communication, and physical and mental wellness as a caregiver. 
• Libro de la memoria de Centro Tryone Guzman: "Con los ojos del corazón" - Centro Tyrone Guzman's Memory Book, "With Eyes of the Heart"
• Medicare: Caregiver Training Services 
• National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota - Parents and caregivers' resources and support. 
• Northwoods Caregivers - Offering essential services including, respite care, transportation, shopping assistance and more, to Northwoods individuals and families. 
• Savvy Caregiver in Indian Country Training Manual - The manual is designed for savvy trainers working with American Indian and Alaska Native caregivers who care for an elder with memory loss and thinking problems (dementia). 
• Senior Linkage Line - Caregiver support information. 

Faith-based Organizations and Traditional Remedies

• Centro Tyrone Guzman - Leading initiatives to build awareness, education, and support by engaging community in the health and well-being of Latines with Alzheimer's and related dementias. 
• Centro Nazareno de Compasion Agape Inc. - Services the Latino community through 26 churches and 14 counties across Minnesota. Learn more about their dementia education. 
• FAITH Care Connection Project: Church Discussion Questions (PDF)

Healthy Living and Brain Health

• Administration for Community Living: Talking About Brain Health & Aging: The Basics (PDF)
• Alzheimer's Association: 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain
• Center for Disease Control: Healthy Brain Initiative
• Indian Health Board - Located in Minneapolis, learn more about their elder's programming that includes weekly memory groups. 
• International Association for Indigenous Aging: Help Reduce Your Risks of Dementia
• Mind Your Risks - If you are a Black man 28 - 45, learn your risks for dementia and take charge of your health.
• Minneapolis American Indian Center: Fitness and Nutrition Program - Learn more about their elder programming that includes nutrition, exercise and dementia education. 
• Restoration for All - REFA uses African storytelling to increase Alzheimer's knowledge, awareness, and support. 
• Twin Cities PBS: Art + Medicine: Healthy Aging - Watch this PBS segment of "Art + Medicine" episode where they explore healthy aging through an artistic lens.

Advanced Care Planning

• Administration for Community Living: Promoting Community Living for Older Adults Who Need Long-term Services and Support (PDF)
• Alzheimer's Association: Build an action plan with ALZNavigator
• Alzheimer's Assocation: Plan for your future with financial, legal planning and more. 
• BOLD Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving - A Guide on Advanced Care Planning Resources
• Honoring Choices Minnesota: Advance care planning information: General Guide (PDF)
• Honoring Choices Minnesota: Health Care Directive Education
• Long-Term Care Facilities: Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, and Other Residential Care - National Institute of Health
• Minnesota Statute 145C Health Care Directive  
• Senior Linkage Line - Aging in Place
• University of Minnesota: Minnesota Health Care Directive Planning Toolkit

Emotional Wellbeing

• Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness of People Living With Dementia and Their Caregivers (PDF).
• Alzheimer's Assocation: Stay Mentally and Socially Active 
• Division of Indian Works - Located in Minneapolis, learn more about their elder programming and services. 
• Giving Voice Chorus - Bringing together people with Alzheimer's and their care partners to sing in choruses.
• MPR News: Hmong Folk Choir - Hmong people with dementia sign in Harmony in new Twin Cities choir (news article).
• Medicare: Depression Screening
• SEWA - AIFW - Serving Asian Indian Family Wellness. Go here to learn more about services for seniors, including their dementia questionnaire and brochure. 

Research

• Alzheimer's Association: Clinical Trials
• The Brain-Heart Connection Report from AARP's Global Council on Brain Health (PDF)
• Center for Disease Control: Modifiable Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia's Among Aged Adults >45 years
• Dementia prevention, intervention and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission
• International Association for Indigenous Aging: Tribal Law and Policy, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Issues (PDF).
• Memory Keepers Medical Discovery - Indigenous Cultural Understandings of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias - Research and Engagement (ICARE).
• National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center: Dementia Capable States and Communities, Lessons Learned from Administration on Aging Grantees
• University of Minnesota: Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation