Dementia Support
Who is support for?
When should you seek support?
What does support include?
Dementia Support Groups
How to Enroll
Dementia Support FAQs & Resources
What is HopeWest Dementia Support?
HopeWest serves western Colorado’s dementia population through GUIDE, Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, a national Medicare model. Our program includes education and resources designed to help individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Our care navigators provide you with resources to manage symptoms, maintain quality of life, and navigate the challenges of memory loss and cognitive decline.
Dementia Support
Navigating Dementia Together
What is HopeWest Dementia Support?
HopeWest serves western Colorado’s dementia population through GUIDE, Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, a national Medicare model. Our program includes education and resources designed to help individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Our care navigators provide you with resources to manage symptoms, maintain quality of life, and navigate the challenges of memory loss and cognitive decline.
Who is support for? →
When should you seek support? →
What does support include? →
Dementia Support Groups →
How to Enroll →
Dementia Support FAQs & Resources →
Making life easier for both you and the person you care for.
If you’re a caregiver facing the daily challenges of supporting a loved one with dementia, HopeWest is here to help.
HopeWest Dementia Support is designed to:
• Improve the quality of life for people with dementia. For example, reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations for your loved one.
• Enhance support for caregivers of people living with dementia. For example, address your emotional health concerns to better equip you to manage caregiver responsibilities, reduce stress, and prevent burnout.
• Help people living with dementia stay in their homes and communities longer.
Getting Started
Who is HopeWest Dementia Support For?
• Individuals living in Mesa, Montrose, and Delta Counties who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia
• Family members and caregivers looking for education and support
• Caregivers needing assistance with coordinating resources such as meals and transportation
• Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Parts A and B (required) with no Advantage plan
• Caregivers who might benefit from having respite services
(Respite care eligibility is determined based on identified care needs.)
When Should You Seek Dementia Support?
It may be time to seek support from HopeWest when:
• A dementia diagnosis is provided
• Memory loss begins affecting daily life
• Caregiving responsibilities increase
• Safety concerns arise
• Behavioral changes become noticeable
• Additional education or resources are needed
What Does Dementia Support Include?
The HopeWest Dementia Support program is designed to provide comprehensive, personalized care for both individuals living with dementia and the people who support them. We work closely with your loved one’s primary care provider to ensure a coordinated approach, while offering guidance, education, and resources to help you navigate each stage of the journey.
Education about dementia and disease progression
Caregiver support groups
Respite care options
Care coordination and guidance
Emotional and behavioral support
Connections to community resources
Guidance about how to navigate dementia
Helpline access for communication with HopeWest team members
Dementia Support Groups in Western Colorado
Caring for someone with dementia can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our Dementia Support Groups for caregivers and loved ones provide a safe, welcoming space to connect with others who understand your journey.
What Can I Expect from Dementia Support Groups?
• Expert Guidance: Each group is led by our Certified Dementia Support Group Facilitator, ensuring compassionate and knowledgeable support.
• Open Conversation: Share experiences and ask questions with fellow caregivers.
• Comfort & Community: Discover the reassurance that comes from knowing others have walked this path too.
• Available in your area: Support groups are offered in Mesa County, Montrose County, and Delta County.
• Join anytime: No cost, open to the community, and no registration required.
Why Join a Dementia Support Group?
Caregivers often tell us that simply having a space to talk and hearing “I’ve been there too” brings more comfort than anything else. These groups are designed to help you feel supported and understood.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Caregiver Support Groups
Mesa County
1st and 3rd Tuesday of Each Month
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
HopeWest Ferris Hospice Care Center
3090 N. 12th Street
Grand Junction, Colorado
Montrose County
2nd Thursday of Each Month
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
HopeWest Montrose Office
725 S. 4th Street
Montrose, Colorado
Delta County
2nd Thursday of Each Month
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
HopeWest Delta Office
195 Stafford Lane
Delta, Colorado
How Do I Enroll in the Dementia Support Program?
If you or a loved one is living with dementia, call HopeWest at (970) 248-4400 or fill out the form below to discuss eligibility and begin the enrollment process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dementia?
Dementia is a general term that describes a variety of symptoms related to loss of memory, language and other thinking abilities. There are many different types of dementia including alzheimer’s (the most common), vascular dementia, lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia. There are over 100 other forms of dementia, but these are the most common.
What are the early symptoms of dementia?
There are multiple warning signs that you or your loved one may have dementia including:
- Memory loss – especially forgetting information that has been recently learned.
- Changes in the ability to follow a plan or work with numbers.
- Trouble concentrating or following instructions easily done in the past.
- Difficulty driving to a familiar location or using a grocery list.
- Trouble keeping track of dates, times and places.
- Challenges finding words or expressing thoughts clearly.
- Mood and personality changes such as being easily upset.
If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one showing signs of dementia, schedule an appointment with your doctor. The earlier you get diagnosed, the more support HopeWest can offer to help you maintain your independence and plan for the future.
What are the different stages of dementia?
HopeWest Dementia Support will help you and your loved one through all stages of dementia.
Early Stage (mild): Noticeable problems with memory, communication, and concentration, along with changes in mood or personality and losing track of place and time. Many people still live independently. Lasts about 2 to 4 years on average.
Middle Stage (moderate): Usually the longest stage. Memory problems grow more obvious, everyday tasks and finding words become harder, and mood or behavior changes are often evident, sometimes with sleep difficulty or restlessness. Lasts about 2 to 10 years on average.
Late Stage (severe): Communication becomes very difficult and the person grows increasingly frail and dependent on others for daily care. Lasts about 1 to 3 years on average.
Can dementia be prevented?
Not everyone gets dementia and while there is no cure for it, there are ways to maintain your brain health for as long as possible by:
- Controlling high blood pressure
- Managing blood sugar
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy diet
- Staying physically and mentally active
- Staying connected with family and friends
- Getting enough sleep
- Less alcohol and no tobacco
- Protect or treat hearing loss
Leading a healthy lifestyle may help control any risk factors you may have for this disease. If you do receive a dementia diagnosis, HopeWest can help you plan for the future to prepare you and your family.
What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?
Dementia is an overall term for a group of symptoms like declining memory. There are many types of dementia, one of which is Alzheimer’s. While Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, there are also other types such as frontotemporal dementia often caused by a head trauma, dementia caused by Lewy Body Disease, and vascular dementia caused sometimes by a stroke.
How do you receive a dementia diagnosis?
You can receive a dementia diagnosis by talking with your Primary Care Provider or your Neurologist. They conduct a screening and then you’ll take it one step at a time. The Dementia Support program can help facilitate an appointment and has a Provider who can complete a dementia evaluation in person or via telehealth.
Where can I find support if I take care of a person with dementia?
HopeWest offers monthly support groups for caregivers of people with dementia in Mesa, Montrose and Delta Counties to connect with others who are facing similar challenges. This free group offers support, conversation, and community. No registration is required.
How can I take care of myself while caring for someone with dementia?
HopeWest is here for you! Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Our program offers resources, check-ins and respite care in certain situations so you can have some time for yourself – take a walk, visit with a friend, keep up with a hobby or just have some alone time.
Resources & Suggested Reading
Meeting You Exactly Where You Are
At HopeWest, our work isn’t just about care — it’s about presence. That simple idea has shaped how we walk beside people through aging, illness, and grief for more than thirty years. When you or someone you love needs…
read more
Navigating the Journey: A Counselor’s Guide to Dementia Care
In this Q&A style blog, HopeWest Meeker counselor, Judy Eskelson, offers advice for caregivers who are supporting loved ones diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s…
read more
HopeWest: Transforming Fear into Confidence
When facing life challenges related to aging, illness, or grief, it’s common to feel a sense of worry or uncertainty about what lies ahead. Navigating medical and daily needs can be…
read more