Resources for People with Primary Progressive Aphasia

MnCAN strives to support people with primary progressive aphasia and their care partners. One MnCAN goal is to connect people with primary progressive aphasia to each other and to other resources in the community.

Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the life participation of individuals impacted by aphasia through comprehensive programs, education, peer connection and community support. Visit the main webpage here: MnCAN

MnCAN has no direct affiliation with any of the following organizations, we are providing them here as resources only.

Please reach out directly to the organization if you have questions or would like more information.

If you are a provider and would like your information listed here, please email us at contact@mncan.org.

Nationwide Aphasia Organizations

Long Term Planning and Financial Resources

  • Alzheimer’s Association offers many valuable resources including information on Social Security Disability. Visit the website for more information: Alzheimer’s Assocation
  • Compassionate Allowances (part of Social Security Administration) helps expedite processing of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Social Security Income (SSI) for persons with PPA. Visit the website for more information: Compassionate Allowances
  • Honoring Choices: Honoring Choices is a sources for advance care planning resources and guidance. Help create a plan that aligns with your preferences and goals for your care with their tools and support. Visit the website for more information: Honoring Choices
  • Minnesota Department of Human Services – multiple programs available to help eligible Minnesotans (Ex: Food and nutrition,
    Housing, Income, Heath care, Coping with crisis, Child care assistance). Visit the website for more information: Minnesota Department of Human Resources
  • MnCHOICES is the name of Minnesota’s assessment and support planning told used by counties, tribal nations and managed care organizations. Certified assessors and care coordination work with people of any age with a disability or anyone in need of long-term services and supports. Visit the website for more information: MnChoices
  • Maser, Amundson, & Boggio P.A. – Attorneys in Minnesota dedicated to elder law. Helpful with financial and long-term planning for disability. Visit the website for more information: Maser, Amundson Boggio P.A.

Cell Phone Resources

  • Jitterbug phone – The Jitterbug is a simple flip phone designed to help older adults stay in touch with their loved ones. Its big buttons,
    simplified menu, and powerful speaker makes it easy to see, hear, and use. Search your web browser to find a local dealer.
  • Senior Safety App. The Senior Safety App helps Seniors get attention quickly, with alerts for emergency help requests, malicious apps, phone falling, phone being inactive for a long time, app installs or uninstalls, entry/exit from geo-locations (buildings, streets, cities or neighborhoods), network changes (sim card change) and low battery alerts. Search your cell phone app store to download the free or paid version.

Travel Resources

  • Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has partnered with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower organization to bring its Sunflower Lanyard program to MSP. (Watch this 45-second short video to learn more about hidden disabilities.)
    • The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower indicates to anyone approaching – especially those in customer service roles – a person wearing one of these items that the person may need more assistance and that their patience is appreciated.
    • Visit the webpage for more information: Sunflower Program

Minnesota Diagnosis, Treatment and Research Centers

  • Mayo Clinic, Rochester
  • Health Partners Neuroscience Center

Use your web browser to search your local area to find additional clinics.

Mental Health Resources

  • Allina Health Rehabilitation psychology services offers a range of services related to a diagnosis. Visit their website for more information: Allina Health
  • Brighter Days Family Grief Center is a family focused grief center in Minnesota. They are the only nonprofit Family Grief Center that provides free resources and services to all children, young adults and adults grieving the terminal diagnosis or death of family member. Visit their website for more information: Brighter Days
  • Headspace is an app for mindfulness and meditation. Visit your phone app store for pricing and information.
  • JS Mental Health, Jane Sieve MSW LICSW offers private online and in-person care. Visit the website for more information: Jane Sieve JS Mental Health
  • Psychology Today website offers a lists of mental health providers in your area. Visit their website for more information: Pyschology Today
  • Sara Nuahn, Jade Counseling LLC, is an licensed social worker in private practice in Chanhassen, MN. She has been in the field for 22 years, and worked in many capacities at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley. Sara was a Behavior Professional, and Clinical Supervisor, working closely with a variety of counties. Call her at 612-524-9195 or visit her website for more information: https://www.jadecounseling.net/
  • The Presence Care Project offers mindfulness-based programs that aim to promote greater ease, enhanced well-being, and resilience for people caring for those who are living with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Visit the website for more information: https://presencecareproject.com/

Respite Care and Care Partner Resources

  • DailyCaring. The DailyCaring website was named the Best Senior Caregiving Website in 2023. Many great resources on senior housing, daily care,  caregiver stress, senior health, money & legal. Visit their website for more information: DailyCaring
  • Life Alert offers medical alert systems to protect seniors and family members in a home health emergency. Visit the website for more information: Life Alert
  • Minnesota Live Well at Home helps older Minnesotans thrive by providing the programs and resources that keep people living in
    their how homes longer. Visit their website for more information: Live Well
  • Senior Community Services is a local organization that helps empower people as they age with services in technology, household & outdoor maintenance, caregiver support and senior outreach. Visit the website for more information: Senior Community Services
  • Senior Helpers is owned by a Speech Pathologist. Senior Helpers provides non-medical home care to adults who would benefit from 1:1 support for companion care services (companionship, outings, laundry, light housekeeping, transportation, errands, meal prep) and/or personal care services (bathing, grooming, toileting) individualized to needs.  Services can be provided for as little as 4 hours once a week, up to 24/7, to foster improved quality of life and increased independence. Contact by phone at 952-395-3443 or visit the website: www.seniorhelpers.com/mn/lake-minnetonka/

Community Connection, Volunteer Involvement & Activities

  • CaringBridge offers a social network to help people stay connected with family and friends during a health event or diagnosis. Visit the website for more information: Caring Bridge
  • Facebook has a private group called “Primary Progressive Aphasia Support Group” for care partners of people with PPA, Speech-Language Pathologists and people diagnosed with PPA.
  • Giving Voice Initiative inspires and equips organizations to bring together people with Alzheimer’s and their care partners to sing in choruses that foster joy, well-being, purpose, and community understanding. Visit the website for more information: https://givingvoicechorus.org/
  • HandsOn Twin Cities offers volunteer opportunities that may interest people with PPA and a care partner. Visit the website for more information: HandsOn Twin Cities
  • Lotsa Helping Hands offers a central place to coordinate meals and help for family & friends. Visit the website for more information: Lotsa Helping Hands
  • National Aphasia Association offers virtual monthly PPA chat groups for people living with PPA and communication partners. The NAA also has great information on PPA! Visit their website for more information or to signup to receive notification of future PPA Chats: PPA Chats

Page updated April 12, 2024