MiM Toolkit: Practical Checklists for the Now
There’s a lot of talk about what happens next. MiM is built for the Now, helping you live each day with structure, joy, and dignity.
And part of living well today is making sure tomorrow doesn’t blindside the people you love. Clarity is not giving up hope. It’s making room for more of what matters.
Use the checklists below as your starting point. If we missed something you need, tell us.
Checklist: I Can’t Put My Finger On It
Write down 3 specific examples with dates (missed bill, wrong turn, repeated story, meds confusion).
Note what changed (frequency, severity, safety impact).
Ask: Is this new, or newly obvious?
Scan for common imposters: sleep, depression, medication side effects, alcohol, thyroid, B12, infection, dehydration, hearing/vision.
Pick one next step within 7 days: PCP visit, memory clinic call, baseline testing, referral
Checklist: Stop Waiting, Start Leverage
Book an appointment and ask for basic labs (thyroid, B12, etc.) and a medication review.
Request a cognitive screening (MoCA or equivalent) as a baseline.
Capture a simple timeline: when it started, what changed, how often, what’s unsafe.
Add safety friction early: meds system, shared calendar, financial alerts, driving plan.
Checklist: Partner Blocker Conversation
Open with values: “I want safety and dignity, not a label.”
Use one concrete example, not a pile of grievances.
Offer a low-drama next step: “Let’s get a baseline.”
Say the quiet truth: avoiding a diagnosis doesn’t delay a disease. It delays your options.
End with one decision: appointment booked or referral requested.
How to Evaluate Alzheimer’s “Breakthrough” Claims
The 5-Level Evidence Reality Check
The internet is overflowing with medical headlines that promise hope, reversal, prevention, or even a “natural cure.”
Some are early research.
Some are misunderstood science.
Some are marketing dressed as medicine.
Families navigating Cognitive Impairment Disorders do not have the luxury of sorting through hype at 2 a.m.
This 5-Level Evidence Reality Check is designed to help you quickly assess where a claim actually sits — not where the headline wants you to believe it sits.
The 5 Levels of Evidence
Level 5: Approved Treatment & Clinical Guidelines
Recognized by regulatory bodies and incorporated into formal medical guidelines. Widely studied. Replicated. In use.
Level 4: Large, Replicated Human Trials
Multiple human studies with consistent findings. Peer-reviewed. Statistically significant. Promising and credible.
Level 3: Early Human Data
Small trials. Preliminary findings. Worth watching, not proven. This is where cautious optimism lives.
Level 2: Animal or Laboratory Studies
Research in mice, cells, or controlled lab environments. Scientifically interesting, but not proof of human benefit.
Level 1: Hypothesis or Theory
An idea. A proposed mechanism. A possibility. Not yet tested in meaningful human studies.
Why This Matters
The language used in posts often sounds like Level 5.
The evidence behind them often sits at Level 1 or 2.
That gap is where misinformation thrives.
Before sharing any Alzheimer’s “breakthrough,” ask:
Is there a peer-reviewed journal citation and DOI?
Was this studied in humans or only animals?
Has it been replicated by independent researchers?
If those answers are unclear, the claim does not belong at the top of the ladder.
It belongs lower.
MiM exists to support dignity, structure, and informed decision-making.
That includes protecting families from false certainty.
Hope is powerful.
But hope should never outrun evidence.
Checklist: Appointment Prep
Bring:
A 1-page timeline (symptoms, onset, changes, meds, family history).
Medication + supplement list with dosages.
Sleep notes and mood notes (brief).
3 real-world examples of impact.
Ask:
What are you considering and why?
What treatable issues can mimic dementia that we should rule out?
What baseline tool will we use and how often will we repeat it?
What should trigger a call between visits?
Checklist: Weekly Reality Tracking
Once a week, record:
Sleep quality (1–10)
Mood (1–10)
Movement days (0–7)
Social contact (meaningful interactions)
Med adherence (yes/no)
One functional note (cooking, driving, money, tech, appointments, word-finding)
Clarity Checklist: Get Your Ducks in a Row
Getting organized is not giving up hope. It’s making space for more of what matters today.
1) Financial and Legal
Will and or trust
Powers of attorney (financial and healthcare)
Advance directives and living wills
Long-term care and insurance planning
2) Medical and Logistical
Choose and document healthcare providers
List medications and dosages
Outline care preferences and backup plans
Understand benefits, coverage, and eligibility
3) Daily Living and Independence
Plan for safe driving transitions
Create home safety checks (kitchen, stairs, appliances)
Evaluate aging in place options versus downsizing
Prepare support for daily routines (meals, meds, errands)
4) Memory Preservation and Legacy
Record stories, letters, and journals
Organize photos and family archives
Capture hobbies, recipes, or life lessons
Build a legacy project that reflects identity
5) Emotional and Relational
Schedule family conversations
Share decision-making early
Encourage therapy or support groups
Identify emotional triggers and comfort strategies
6) Support System
Identify a primary Supporter
Create a backup care plan
Define roles for friends, neighbors, and the community
Collect emergency contacts in one place
7) Self-Care (for Traveler and Supporter)
Movement, nutrition, rest, hydration
Stress reduction practices (yoga, music, journaling)
Schedule time for joy and play
Respect boundaries and burnout warning signs
MiM’s Promise
We don’t just hand you a checklist. We help you live it, step by step, with reminders, encouragement, and structure.
Clarity today is the greatest gift you can give tomorrow.
Checklist: Misinformation + Scam Filter
Before you share or buy:
Is there peer-reviewed human evidence (not “breakthrough,” not mice)?
Do they cite a journal and DOI, not testimonials?
Are they selling a supplement, collecting emails, or pushing DMs?
Do they promise “cure,” “reverse,” or “plaques vanish”?
If yes, label it honestly: engagement farming, predatory marketing, or both.