Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our services, process, and how we can help your family.
- 01
What exactly does Maine Dementia Partners do?
Maine Dementia Partners provides clinical guidance, care coordination, and family support for people navigating a loved one's dementia diagnosis. Marjorie Hunt, Nurse Practitioner works directly with families to help them understand the stage of disease, navigate care decisions, coordinate with medical providers and facilities, and plan for end of life, so no one has to figure this out alone.
- 02
Who is this service for?
Maine Dementia Partners is for families and caregivers of people living with dementia at any stage of the disease, from diagnosis to end-of-life planning. It is also for long-distance caregivers managing a loved one's care in Maine from out of state, and for families in crisis who need help right now.
- 03
How is this different from a regular doctor or specialist?
Most medical providers see patients in brief appointments and do not have the time or specialized training to coordinate care across settings, support families through complex decisions, or navigate the systems that surround dementia care. Marjorie Hunt, NP, has worked inside nursing homes, memory care facilities, assisted living, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers, and brings that full picture to every family she works with. At Maine Dementia Partners, Marjorie created a business that knows which questions to ask to get the answers you need to best care for your loved one.
- 04
What happens at the initial consultation?
The initial consultation is a one-hour session with Marjorie Hunt, NP. You will complete intake paperwork in advance, and Marjorie will review your loved one's medical history, current care situation, and your family's concerns. Within two weeks of the appointment, you will receive a written clinical assessment and individualized recommendations. This is a document you can use immediately and share with every provider involved in your loved one's care.
- 05
What do I get with the written assessment?
The written assessment is a clinical document prepared by Marjorie Hunt, NP based on your initial consultation. It includes an assessment of your loved one's current stage of disease, individualized recommendations for care, guidance on next steps, and resources specific to your situation. It is designed to be shared with physicians, facilities, and other members of your loved one's care team.
- 06
What are the monthly membership tiers?
They are designed to offer different amounts of care and support depending on what each individual with dementia and their family needs. It is understood that everyone's situation is different and may need different supports at times. We do have some flexibility that can be adjusted when we begin working together.
- 07
Do you accept insurance?
Maine Dementia Partners is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance.
- 08
Where are you located and who do you serve?
Maine Dementia Partners is based in Maine and serves families throughout the state and beyond. All services are available via Zoom and phone, making them accessible to long-distance caregivers as well. In-home visits are available in some counties of Maine as clinically indicated. When able, it is always a goal to have in person sessions as these provide a greater depth of understanding to the experience those with dementia are having on a daily basis.
- 09
How do I know if it's time to consider memory care?
Memory care may be appropriate when a person's needs exceed what can be safely managed at home, including significant behavioral symptoms, wandering, inability to be left alone, or caregiver exhaustion. Knowing when and how to make that transition, and how to choose the right facility, is one of the most common reasons families reach out to Maine Dementia Partners.
- 10
How do I know when to consider hospice for someone with dementia?
Hospice eligibility for dementia is often misunderstood; many families (and even providers) end up waiting far longer than necessary because no one has explained the criteria clearly. Signs that hospice may be appropriate require special understanding, and often the ability of a person to call hospice and speak with a provider or nurse directly, and/or to get a written assessment to help guide your provider with the right information. All these decisions become harder when someone can't always speak for themselves or explain what is happening to them. It takes the wisdom of years of doing this work to understand the sometimes subtle ways people show us they are near their time to transition.
- 11
What if my loved one is having behavioral problems that no one can manage?
Difficult behaviors in advanced dementia, like depression, anxiety, combativeness, wandering, and refusal of care, are almost always a form of communication from someone who no longer has words. Marjorie has extensive experience managing these situations and has worked alongside geriatric psychiatrists to develop effective, humane approaches. If your loved one is being sedated, restrained, or sent to the ER repeatedly for behavioral reasons, please reach out. There is almost always a better option. Medications are one tool in the toolbox and not the only answer.
- 12
Can you help if my loved one is in a facility and I'm not sure they're getting good care?
Yes. Marjorie Hunt, NP, has worked inside memory care, nursing home, and assisted living settings and knows exactly what good care looks like and what it doesn't. She can help you understand what to look for, what questions to ask, what facilities are required to do, and when to escalate concerns. You have the right to advocate for your loved one, and Maine Dementia Partners can help you do it effectively.