If you are worried about changes
Write down what you have noticed and the questions you want to ask. You deserve a conversation that takes your concerns seriously.
Prepare for an appointment →
A place for your questions and choices
Living with memory changes
Whether you are seeking answers or living with a diagnosis, you have a voice in what comes next. Find practical ideas, questions to bring to appointments, and ways to stay connected on your terms.
Find a place to beginBegin where you are
You do not have to work through everything today.
Memory changes can bring different questions for different people. Choose the subject that is useful now. You can return whenever you are ready.
If you recently received a diagnosis
You can take time to understand the diagnosis, ask what it means for you, and decide whom you want involved in future conversations.
Explore first steps →If daily routines are changing
Choose one part of the day to make easier. Your preferences, abilities, and sense of independence still matter.
Find practical resources →Your voice matters
Stay involved in decisions about your life.
Consider telling people what support feels helpful, what you prefer to do for yourself, and who you want beside you in appointments or planning conversations. You can ask someone to help you write down questions without asking them to speak for you.
Explore planning toolsUpdated September 14, 2026 · Information for you, at your pace
“I want help without losing my voice.”
You can tell people what support you welcome and what you prefer to do yourself. Try writing a short preference sheet with someone you choose. Leave questions blank if you do not want to answer them.
- “Please ask me before answering a question for me.”
- “It helps when you give me one thing to think about at a time.”
- “I would like you to take notes, but I want to ask my own questions.”
“What could make my day easier?”
Try one aid that fits your routine: a calendar in a familiar place, a note beside an everyday task, or a phone reminder you know how to use. If a tool adds confusion, ask for help changing it or try a simpler option.
- Choose a regular place for your keys, glasses, and phone.
- Tell a trusted person which reminders feel helpful and which feel intrusive.
- Ask a pharmacist or clinician about a safe medication-organization plan. A reminder alone may not be enough.
Learn more: NIA: Memory problems, forgetfulness, and aging ↗ · Alzheimer’s Association: Medication safety ↗
Explore daily routines and activities →“How do I stay connected?”
Let friends know how you would like to keep in touch. You might prefer a short visit, a familiar activity, or a quieter place. A diagnosis does not have to be the subject of every conversation.
Ask a local organization about groups for people living with dementia themselves. If work, parenting, or a younger-onset diagnosis is part of your situation, ask for support that recognizes those needs.
Alzheimer’s Association: younger-onset resources ↗“What should I plan while I can explain my wishes?”
Think about whom you trust, the activities you want to keep, and the kind of care you would prefer. Ask qualified professionals to explain your options for legal documents, health decisions, and finances. You can break this into several conversations.
Driving, living arrangements, and changing support needs can be difficult subjects. Ask for your concerns to be included and for alternatives that preserve the parts of life that matter to you.
Learn more: NIA: Planning after a dementia diagnosis ↗ · Alzheimer’s Association: Driving and dementia ↗
Explore planning and outside help →“I feel frustrated or worried.”
You can ask for a break, tell someone what feels hard, or choose another time to talk. Write down questions for a trusted clinician or support person if speaking about them feels difficult.
For urgent emotional support or immediate danger, use the contacts on Need Help Now. Community submissions are reviewed later and are not a crisis service.
More places to turn
Alzheimer's Association: I Have Alzheimer's ↗National Institute on Aging: Alzheimer's and Dementia ↗Community and shared experience →
This page offers general information and does not replace medical, legal, or financial advice. Discuss personal health questions with a qualified professional.