Starting to recognize the symptoms of dementia in yourself can be scary enough in the first place. But for many people living with dementia, that process is compounded by doctors who seem unwilling or unable to make a diagnosis or offer adequate support when they do. The diagnosis process often takes years, and people living with dementia often feel abandoned to "get their affairs in order" once they finally do get diagnosed.

However, both people living with dementia and health care leaders in Michigan are working to speed up the diagnosis process and offer more support to newly diagnosed people. As we continue our second season of Michigan's State of Health, we'll introduce you to Michiganders living with dementia who have struggled to get a diagnosis – and those who are working to change the diagnosis process for the better.

Want to learn more about the organizations and resources referenced in this episode? Check out the links below.

Alzheimer's Association Greater Michigan chapter

Lewy Body Dementia Association

Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center

National Council of Dementia Minds

Region IV Area Agency on Aging

Trinity Health Memory Care

Universal Dementia

You can read the State of Health feature story series here.

S1E5: Reconnecting to behavioral health care in a time of crisis

Michigan's State of HealthBy Issue Media GroupNov 19, 2021