Dementia Friendly Fond du Lac County

02/04/2026

💜2026 Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Association Advocay Day 💜

A great day of learning about our 2026 Policy Priorities and talking with legislators!

02/02/2026

❤️Happy February ❤️
Here is the monthly newsletter from your Fond du Lac County Dementia Care Specialist, Alyssa Sommerfeldt

If you would like to receive the newsletter via email or mail, please email Alyssa at alyssa.sommerfeldt@fdlco.wi.gov

01/28/2026

Did you know there are many different types of dementia?

Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies are four of the most common forms of dementia, and they can all affect people differently.

This is our guide to a few of the most common symptoms for each illness.

Dementia looks different for everyone, so a person’s symptoms may not look exactly as they are described here.

However by knowing the signs, we can make sure that we don’t brush off or ignore some of these lesser-known symptoms, to help everyone with dementia get a crucial early diagnosis.

Save this post for later, and if you’d like more info visit our website or give our Dementia Support Line a call on 0333 150 3456.

01/28/2026

Today is ! 🌎

Checkout this great educational opportunity⤵️

Tomorrow is ! 🌎 Join us for “From Berlin to Breakthroughs: The Life of Dr. Lewy” on Wednesday, January 28, at 11:00am ET.

Led by Dr. Patrick Emanuell Mesquita Sousa-Santos, this webinar will explore the lesser-known history of Dr. Friedrich Lewy’s life and scientific contributions, shaped by the sociopolitical forces of his time.

“From Berlin to Breakthroughs: The Life of Dr. Lewy” is sponsored by GE Healthcare.

🔗: https://ow.ly/vNq850Y4EA0

Then continue your learning experience with “The Lewy Convergence: Clinical Wisdom and Historical Reflection 2026,” a hybrid symposium at 12:30pm ET featuring a panel of leading international experts who will reflect on Dr. Lewy’s enduring scientific legacy and examine innovations in diagnosis, management and future research directions.

Hosted by the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, in collaboration with the Lewy Body Dementia Association. CME credits are available for clinicians involved in dementia care.

🔗: https://ow.ly/aotX50Y4EzZ

01/23/2026

Happy Frigid Friday 🥶

Check out the AFA’s Winter Cold Tips⤵️

Wandering is a common and potentially dangerous behavior among individuals living with dementia. January 21, 2026 – Arctic blasts and polar vortexes are causing dangerously cold, frigid conditions in areas […]

01/14/2026

The Alzheimer`s Association invites you to attend an upcoming presentation on some of these breakthroughs related to early detection, innovative treatments, and lifestyle strategies to improve brain health and lower risk reduction. They will also go over ways you can be a leader in the fight and take some initiative within your workplace.

Join on Tuesday, March 3rd from 5:30PM until 7:30PM

Fond du Lac Beer Company, 21 4th St Ct, Fond du Lac, WI 54935
- One beverage ticket per person, and appetizers will be provided
- Presentation will begin at 6:15PM
- This event is Free and Open to the Public!

You can RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEWU8RDA6Q2czXok-FSyEEaCyX1tHO9lyivYX2EqV94eM7mw/viewform

Please share with anyone else who may be interested!

01/08/2026

💜Happy 2026 💜

Here is the monthly newsletter from your Fond du Lac County Dementia Care Specialist, Alyssa Sommerfeldt

If you would like to receive the newsletter via email or mail, please email Alyssa at alyssa.sommerfeldt@fdlco.wi.gov

01/08/2026

Join me for Wisconsin Advocacy Day on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Register here: https://alz-wi.quorum.us/event/25900/

Hear from our bipartisan legislative champions, get the latest updates on bills that support people living with dementia and their family caregivers, and meet with your state legislators.

Prior to Advocacy Day, the Alzheimer`s Association is hosting a two-part virtual training series. Please join by registering:

Session 1: Advocacy Best Practices:
https://alz-wi.quorum.us/event/29626/
Tuesday, January 13, 12 - 12:30 p.m.

Session 2: How to Effectively Communicate With Lawmakers:
https://alz-wi.quorum.us/event/29627/
Tuesday, January 27, 12 - 12:30 p.m.

12/03/2025

🩵20 Thoughtful Gifts for People with Parkinson’s🩵

Sometimes, a small gift can help make life a little easier for someone with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Explore the Parkinson’s-friendly gift guide for comfort items and helpful presents that show your thinking about your loved on this holiday season.

Browse twenty gift ideas for your loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

11/26/2025

Older farmers are more likely to develop dementia, which can increase their risk of injuries - especially on farms and ranches. Even those with memory problems who just live on a farm, not work on it, can be at risk. While there are general resources for farm and home safety, there aren’t any programs that focus on the specific challenges of dementia in farming communities. Caring for someone with dementia in these areas can also be especially tough on families.


To fill this gap, researchers from the University of Iowa and University of Illinois Chicago teamed up with local experts to create Farm Families Coping with Dementia (FFCD). FFCD is a free, 4-week online educational series created to support family members of individuals living or working on or near farms who may be showing signs of memory loss or confusion. The program includes four weekly 1-hour Zoom sessions delivered by Illinois Extension educators:

-Dementia Basics
-Farm Safety and Dementia
-Improving safety with Dementia
-Caregiving and communication

You can find more information at the website:

Farm Families Coping with Dementia (FFCD) A Caregiver Support Research Project Concerned about someone in a farming community showing signs of dementia?  FFCD is an online educational series created to support caregivers of individuals livingor working on or near farms who are showingsigns of memor...

11/14/2025

💜💜💜

New Program Alert! Join us for the inaugural "New Memory Cafe", a social program for anyone living with memory loss and their care partner. This new program will meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 1:00-2:30 at The Center. Please help spread the word! This month's theme is "Fall Fun & Games". Feel free to drop in, or if you have any questions, give us a call at (920) 322-3630.

11/05/2025

Have you ever heard the term ‘sandwich carer’?

This means someone who's caring for a parent, or other older relative, while also raising children – and often working a job, too.

An estimated 2.4 million people in the UK care for both older and younger generations, so if this describes you, then you’re not alone. And this ‘triple burden’ of care can have a huge impact on physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.

We asked members of our Dementia Support Forum what advice they would offer to others finding themselves ‘sandwiched’ between caring responsibilities.

Here’s what they said:

‘Lay out your boundaries. Realistically, what can you do without compromising your wellbeing? It was only when I broke down that I realised I couldn’t do it anymore.'

‘Don’t overpromise. I always said to my mum I would keep her independent and at home as long as possible, but I never promised that we wouldn’t consider a care home.’

‘Ask for help (and then take it!) I have a good friend who my son is happy to go with (he’s very attached to me!) so he hasn’t had to sit through all the hospital appointments.’

‘Look after you. You can’t love your “carees” any more if the stress of caring damages your health and wellbeing. Be firm and do the right thing – look after yourself.’

And if you ever need any support or advice, call our Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456.