Dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss, mood changes, and problems with communicating and reasoning. Only a doctor can provide a dementia diagnosis. Please consult a doctor if you or someone you care about is experiencing one or more warning signs of dementia.

Speak to a doctor if you are concerned that you may be experiencing signs of dementia. A diagnosis will provide a legal foundation for how you are treated at work and facilitate access to any available employer and/or community-based programs, services, and support.

If you or someone you care about is diagnosed with dementia, there will be many factors that influence whether you can or want to stay in your workplace or the overall workforce. It will be important to determine what works best for you, the people in your life, and your employer, including your ability to work, your employer’s ability to provide workplace accommodations, and your personal and financial goals.

Choosing to share your dementia experience with your co-workers is a personal choice. There can be benefits to it, as well as the possibility of having to manage stigma. Knowing how to engage co-workers, take steps to combat stigma, and encourage your colleagues and employer to foster a dementia-inclusive culture can support positive experiences at work.