You just got a dementia diagnosis.
Here's what the next few weeks can look like.
If you're reading this after receiving a diagnosis of dementia, either your own or that of someone you love, you don't need anyone to tell you this is a lot. It is a lot. There may be some relief at finally having an answer, grief for what's ahead, fear about what comes next, or all of it at once.
You don't have to solve everything today.
Everyone’s journey and disease progression is different, and each family facing a diagnosis may be a different stage of symptom onset.
This page is meant to be a calm, clear starting point: a handful of things worth doing soon, a few things that can wait, and where to find real people in Calgary who can help you carry this.
Who do I tell, and how do I tell them?
There's no set order or script for this. Sharing your concerns, or the diagnosis itself, with the people closest to you is one of the most helpful things you can do, whether you’re the one living with dementia or you're a care partner of a loved one. Being open with family and friends can help identify problems sooner and get you the support you need, instead of carrying this alone.
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A few things to keep in mind:
- You get to choose the pace. Some families share widely and quickly. Others start with one or two trusted people and expand from there. Both are fine.
- You don't have to explain everything at once. It's okay to share only what feels comfortable, and to say "we're still learning about this" rather than having every answer ready.
- Consider who's part of the day-to-day. Close family, friends, and anyone providing regular support or company can benefit from knowing early, since they may notice changes and can help share the load.
- It's okay for this to feel hard. Advocating for yourself is part of this process. It's not something you're expected to already know how to do well.
What legal steps should we prioritize?
A diagnosis is a good moment to get familiar with your or your person's financial and legal situation, while everyone can still be part of the conversation and share their wishes directly.
Two documents matter most early on:
Power of Attorney
Covers financial matters, such as banking, bills, and property. It lets someone trusted step in and manage finances if needed.
Personal Directive
Covers personal and health matters, such as medical and living decisions. In Alberta, you don't need a lawyer to complete a Personal Directive.
Other things worth putting in place early:
- A clear understanding of the person's wishes and goals of care, ideally discussed directly with their doctor
- A look at the overall financial picture, including whether joint accounts or credit limits make sense for your situation, which is worth a conversation with your bank
- Awareness of financial supports that may be available, such as the Disability Tax Credit and Alberta Aids to Daily Living
- A current will and estate plan
These documents are, in many ways, one of the most helpful things you can put in place for your family. They don't remove the hard decisions ahead, but they make those decisions a little easier when the time comes.
What support is available right now?
You don't have to wait until things get harder to reach out. Support is available from the point of diagnosis onward.
- Dementia Support Navigators at Alzheimer Calgary can help you understand your options, connect you to services, and listen. Call 403-290-0110 or email findsupport@alzheimercalgary.ca.
- Health Link 811 – Dementia Advice Service offers 24/7 phone access to a nurse for dementia-related questions. Dial 8-1-1.
- Home care is available through Alberta Health Services and can be self-referred; options include client-directed and self-managed care.
- Respite care and day programs offer breaks for care partners and social engagement for the person living with dementia, including overnight options if needed. Learn about Club 36.
- Support Groups through Alzheimer Calgary give caregivers a safe and confidential space to share their experiences, learn practical caregiving strategies, and connect with others who truly understand the dementia journey.
- Caregivers Alberta offers workshops, support groups, and guidance specifically for caregivers.
You don't need to access all of these right away, and you don't need a referral for most of them to simply make a call and ask questions.
What should we change now and what can wait?
It's natural to want to get everything in order right away. Most families find it easier to focus on safety and legal basics first, and let day-to-day adjustments happen gradually, as they're needed.
1
Worth doing soon
- Reviewing medications with a pharmacist or family doctor, including whether blister packs would help
- Setting up safety tools if there's any risk of wandering, such as door alarms or a tracking device
- Having a plan for what to do if a person goes missing (call 911)
- Starting the legal and financial steps above
- Thinking through goals of care and how you want medical decisions handled, like CPR or hospital visits (Learn about Advanced Care Planning and Goals of Care)
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Okay to wait until it's needed
- Household routines and reminder systems (post-it notes, labelled drawers, large clocks)
- Deciding on long-term living arrangements
- Major home modifications
- Managing incontinence supports
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A general rule that helps:
Don't sweat the small stuff. Ask others what's worked for them, and trust your own sense of what your family actually needs right now versus what you're anticipating might be needed later.
How do we talk about the diagnosis, together?
Many families find it meaningful to keep the person living with dementia included in conversations for as long as possible, but there's no single right way to talk about it.
A few things that tend to help:
- Follow their lead on how much they want to discuss. Some people want to talk about it often and directly. Others prefer not to dwell on the diagnosis and would rather focus on day-to-day life. Both are valid.
- There's no pressure to have it all figured out in one conversation. This is something you'll likely revisit many times, in different ways, as things unfold.
- Focus on connection. If conversations bring up fear, denial, or frustration, responding with empathy and reassurance tends to help more than trying to convince or correct.
- Loop in support before you need it. Programs like our Newly Diagnosed Program (below) are built specifically to give you both a structured, low-pressure space to process things together.
Every person with dementia has rights
A dementia diagnosis changes a lot. But it doesn't change a person's right to dignity, autonomy, and a voice in their own life. As you move through this next stage, it can help to keep a few core principles in mind, for the person living with dementia and for yourself as a care partner.
Alzheimer Society Canadian Charter of Rights for People with Dementia
Read the Charter
Learn, connect, and prepare together
Alzheimer Calgary's Newly Diagnosed Program
Our Newly Diagnosed Program is a free, welcoming program for people diagnosed with dementia in the past 18 months, along with their care partner, spouse, family member, or another close support person. You attend together, over two sessions, two hours each, delivered across two weeks.
You'll explore what dementia is and how it may affect daily life, common myths and misconceptions, how to maintain independence while accepting support, tools and strategies for daily planning and safety, how to stay connected with others, and how to begin conversations about future health, care, and legal decisions.
There's no pressure to speak or share personal experiences. You can take part at your own comfort level and pace.
After the program, you can continue accessing support through a six-week peer support group for care partners, monthly education sessions, and a Dementia Support Navigator.
You don't have to figure this out on your own
Some of what's ahead isn't something a checklist can fully cover, like how to have a hard conversation, how to decide what's really urgent, or how to feel less alone right now. That's what our Dementia Support Navigators are here for. Free, confidential, and no judgment.
Get Support