Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute

06/10/2026

When members of the advisory committee for WAI’s Wisconsin Dementia Resource Network (WDRN) met, some members voiced a troubling new development: more people in their 40s and 50s contacting them to seek support for young-onset dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and any dementia diagnosed before age 65 is called young-onset dementia. The dementia care professionals said they sometimes found it difficult to direct individuals to the right services, especially as younger people face unique challenges tied to careers, finances, and often parenting and caregiving.

Jody Krainer, manager of WDRN, created a task force to develop tools to meet this concern. The group included Krainer, Heidi H. Neeley, program manager Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter, Jennifer Harders, Dementia Care Specialist Waukesha County, and Trisha Witham, ADRC of Barron & Rusk Counties - Barron Location. Their goal: create practical, accessible guides that reflect the realities of young-onset dementia and help individuals better navigate a complex and often confusing journey.

This spring, they hosted a WDRN webinar to share the tools they created, with a goal of helping professionals across Wisconsin better address the needs and concerns of people and families impacted by young-onset dementia. Watch a recording of that webinar & find links to their young-onset guides on our WDRN resource library webpage in the comment below.

Our Wisconsin Dementia Resource Network met to share information fo...

06/09/2026

Lorenzo's House is hosting its sixth annual free virtual global youth SUMMIT on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June 2026. Bringing together families from around the world for connection, collective tool building and shared lived experience.

This SUMMIT is designed specifically for young children, teens and young adults, dedicated to empowering them and their families affected by young onset dementia.

Learn more here: https://www.lorenzoshouse.org/summit

06/09/2026

Join us every weekday from 11:00 to 1:00 when we discuss the environment, consumer issues, nature, books, gardening, home improvement and so much more. Our expert guests share their knowledge and take listener questions. Our team of host Larry Meiller; Executive Producer Jill Nadeau; Producers Clara...

05/26/2026

Our Amazing Grace Chorus and musicians from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will perform a concert together on June 3. We're excited for this incredible opportunity & beautiful location at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center. Thanks to MSO and the MKE Community Sailing Center for their support!

05/22/2026

As we approach Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. We are also grateful for the opportunity to recognize the veterans who are still with us today - especially those from World War II, whose numbers grow fewer each year. When the year’s first Wisconsin Honor Flight recently departed from Milwaukee, WWII veteran Mr. Herman Langford was among those on board. Mr. Langford and his daughter are members of our Amazing Grace Chorus, and we are so glad to see his remarkable service recognized.
Thank you for your service, Mr. Langford. And thank you both for continuing to share your voices with our chorus community!

05/07/2026

Thank you to Badger Talks for hosting UW–Madison Day at the Capitol last week. We’re grateful for the opportunity for WAI Director Dr. Cynthia Carlsson to share how our programs are helping reduce dementia risk and strengthen memory care across Wisconsin.
You can watch a recording of the day’s flash talks (each one was fascinating!) by signing in to a free account on WisEye: https://wiseye.org/2026/04/29/uw-madison-day-at-the-capitol-faculty-flash-talks-2/

04/27/2026

In a recent La Crosse, WI radio interview, UW–Madison researcher Dr. Kimberly Mueller discussed how distinguishing normal “senior moments” from true warning signs is key to earlier diagnosis. She highlighted advances in blood-based tests that can detect Alzheimer’s-related brain changes years before symptoms, and how much of this progress comes from our Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention study. Dr. Mueller's research is investigating interesting links into early verbal language signs and cognitive changes. Listen to her full interview on our news page: https://wai.wisc.edu/2026/04/24/dr-kimberly-mueller-discusses-new-advances-in-early-alzheimers-detection/

04/23/2026

The WAI Regional Milwaukee Office extends our deepest gratitude to the sponsors of the 12th Annual Breaking the Silence event: Addressing Dementia in High-Risk Populations. Your support is not just appreciated—it is essential.

Because of your commitment, this event is more than an idea; it is a reality. You make it possible to bring together voices, share critical knowledge, and shine a light on issues that too often go unspoken. Your partnership directly impacts our ability to educate, advocate, and work toward better outcomes for communities disproportionately affected by dementia.

Thank you for standing with us, Bader Philanthropies, Inc. Green Bay Packers Foundation, Ascension Wisconsin, Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter, Eisai Global, Azura Memory Care & Assisted Living Legacy Home and Respite Care Foundation, Aurora Health Care, My Choice Wisconsin by Molina Healthcare, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services, Community-Academic Aging Research Network - CAARN, The Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center, Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention, Carlsson Research Lab, SuperAging Research Initiative and the BOLD Grant - Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act for believing in this mission, and for helping ensure the success of this important event. We truly could not do this without you.