--- title: Together Patient Advocates Blog | New Diagnosis description: New Diagnosis | Topics ranging from how to advocate for yourself to the benefits of patient advocates. --- [![Together Patient Advocates](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo/Together%20Patient%20Advocates-100x100.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=Together%20Patient%20Advocates-100x100.jpg "Together Patient Advocates")](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/) [![Contact Me](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2241950/f0ceed56-8ce7-4edf-b542-140a386d232a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2241950/f0ceed56-8ce7-4edf-b542-140a386d232a) # Together Patient Advocates Blog [![](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/Blog%20posts/Beautiful%20portrait%20of%20an%20elderly%20couple%20outdoors.jpeg) ](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/navigating-a-dementia-diagnosis) ## [Navigating a Dementia Diagnosis](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/navigating-a-dementia-diagnosis) [fa icon="calendar'] Apr 9, 2021 6:00:00 AM / by [Kim Mcilnay, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/kim-mcilnay-bcpa) posted in [New Diagnosis](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis), [Dementia](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/dementia) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/navigating-a-dementia-diagnosis#comments-listing) [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/navigating-a-dementia-diagnosis) [![](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/Hand%20with%20marker%20writing%20Whats%20Your%20Next%20Step%3F.jpeg) ](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/navigating-life-after-a-dementia-diagnosis) ## [Are you Concerned about Dementia?](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/navigating-life-after-a-dementia-diagnosis) [fa icon="calendar'] Mar 26, 2021 5:00:00 AM / by [Kim Mcilnay, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/kim-mcilnay-bcpa) posted in [New Diagnosis](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis), [confusion](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/confusion), [Dementia](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/dementia), [Planning](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/planning) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/navigating-life-after-a-dementia-diagnosis#comments-listing) In this first of a two-part series on dementia, I’ll give you an overview, including what dementia is, other diseases with similar symptoms, and what to expect from your evaluation. Part two will focus on what to do after a diagnosis. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/navigating-life-after-a-dementia-diagnosis) [![](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/cup-of-coffee-1280537_1920.jpg) ](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/researching-quality-medical-information-on-the-web) ## [Researching Quality Medical Information on the Web](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/researching-quality-medical-information-on-the-web) [fa icon="calendar'] Jun 2, 2017 4:00:00 AM / by [Kim Mcilnay, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/kim-mcilnay-bcpa) posted in [Online medical research](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/online-medical-research), [New Diagnosis](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/researching-quality-medical-information-on-the-web#comments-listing) Questionable medical information abounds on the internet--numerous sites touting weight loss "miracles" and cures from cancer to diabetes. How do you know what sites are trustworthy when you're researching a medical condition on the web? Here are some basic guidelines to follow when researching: [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/researching-quality-medical-information-on-the-web) [![](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/silver-bordered-fritillary-877121_1920.jpg) ](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/sacramento-area-resources-for-multiple-sclerosis) ## [Sacramento Area Resources for Multiple Sclerosis](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/sacramento-area-resources-for-multiple-sclerosis) [fa icon="calendar'] Mar 29, 2017 2:42:15 PM / by [Kim Mcilnay, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/kim-mcilnay-bcpa) posted in [New Diagnosis](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis), [Multiple Sclerosis](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/multiple-sclerosis), [Sacramento MS Resources](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/sacramento-ms-resources) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/sacramento-area-resources-for-multiple-sclerosis#comments-listing) [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/sacramento-area-resources-for-multiple-sclerosis) [![](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/Blog%20posts/road-fog-foggy-mist.jpg) ](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/new-major-medical-diagnosis-now-what) ## [New Major Medical Diagnosis? Now what?](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/new-major-medical-diagnosis-now-what) [fa icon="calendar'] Mar 2, 2017 4:00:00 AM / by [Kim Mcilnay, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/kim-mcilnay-bcpa) posted in [New Diagnosis](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis) [[fa icon="comment"] 0 Comments](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/new-major-medical-diagnosis-now-what#comments-listing)   You’ve just been diagnosed with a major health issue. Now what do you do? [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/new-major-medical-diagnosis-now-what) [All posts](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/all) ### Subscribe to Email Updates - Recent - Popular - Categories ### Lists by Topic - [Coronavirus (15)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/coronavirus) - [self-advocacy (15)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/self-advocacy) - [COVID-19 (14)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/covid-19) - [Insurance (7)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/insurance) - [Medicare (6)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/medicare) - [New Diagnosis (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis) - [elderly illness (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/elderly-illness) - [patient advocate (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/patient-advocate) - [preparing for your doctor's appointment (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/preparing-for-your-doctors-appointment) - [ER (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/er) - [Nursing Home/Skilled Nursing Facility (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/nursing-home-skilled-nursing-facility) - [medi-cal (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/medi-cal) - [Hospice (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/hospice) - [Hospital (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/hospital) - [Planning (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/planning) - [Dementia (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/dementia) - [Palliative Care (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/palliative-care) - [advance directive (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/advance-directive) - [confusion (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/confusion) - [open enrollment (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/open-enrollment) - [prevention (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/prevention) - [technology (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/technology) - [Anxiety (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/anxiety) - [Asthma (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/asthma) - [Cancer (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/cancer) - [Clinical Notes (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/clinical-notes) - [Congenital Heart Defects (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/congenital-heart-defects) - [Diabetes (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/diabetes) - [Health (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/health) - [Heart Failure (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/heart-failure) - [Informed Decisions (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/informed-decisions) - [LGBTQ+ Advocacy (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/lgbtq-advocacy) - [Multiple Sclerosis (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/multiple-sclerosis) - [Obamacare (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/obamacare) - [Online medical research (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/online-medical-research) - [Open Access (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/open-access) - [Preventive Health Care (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/preventive-health-care) - [Recovery (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/recovery) - [Sacramento MS Resources (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/sacramento-ms-resources) - [UTI (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/uti) - [Urinary tract infection in elderly (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/urinary-tract-infection-in-elderly) - [colon cancer (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/colon-cancer) - [flu (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/flu) - [influenza (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/influenza) - [mental health (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/mental-health) - [prescriptions (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/prescriptions) - [stress (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/stress) - [vaccination (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/vaccination) - [young adults (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/young-adults) [see all](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis#) ### Posts by Topic - [Coronavirus (15)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/coronavirus) - [self-advocacy (15)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/self-advocacy) - [COVID-19 (14)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/covid-19) - [Insurance (7)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/insurance) - [Medicare (6)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/medicare) - [New Diagnosis (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis) - [elderly illness (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/elderly-illness) - [patient advocate (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/patient-advocate) - [preparing for your doctor's appointment (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/preparing-for-your-doctors-appointment) - [ER (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/er) - [Nursing Home/Skilled Nursing Facility (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/nursing-home-skilled-nursing-facility) - [medi-cal (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/medi-cal) - [Hospice (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/hospice) - [Hospital (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/hospital) - [Planning (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/planning) - [Dementia (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/dementia) - [Palliative Care (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/palliative-care) - [advance directive (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/advance-directive) - [confusion (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/confusion) - [open enrollment (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/open-enrollment) - [prevention (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/prevention) - [technology (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/technology) - [Anxiety (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/anxiety) - [Asthma (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/asthma) - [Cancer (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/cancer) - [Clinical Notes (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/clinical-notes) - [Congenital Heart Defects (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/congenital-heart-defects) - [Diabetes (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/diabetes) - [Health (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/health) - [Heart Failure (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/heart-failure) - [Informed Decisions (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/informed-decisions) - [LGBTQ+ Advocacy (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/lgbtq-advocacy) - [Multiple Sclerosis (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/multiple-sclerosis) - [Obamacare (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/obamacare) - [Online medical research (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/online-medical-research) - [Open Access (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/open-access) - [Preventive Health Care (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/preventive-health-care) - [Recovery (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/recovery) - [Sacramento MS Resources (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/sacramento-ms-resources) - [UTI (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/uti) - [Urinary tract infection in elderly (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/urinary-tract-infection-in-elderly) - [colon cancer (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/colon-cancer) - [flu (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/flu) - [influenza (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/influenza) - [mental health (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/mental-health) - [prescriptions (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/prescriptions) - [stress (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/stress) - [vaccination (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/vaccination) - [young adults (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/young-adults) [see all](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis#) ### Recent Posts #### About Me My clinical experience as a family physician combined with my personal experience as a patient with chronic illness makes me an exceptional choice to be your patient advocate.  [Learn More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/about-us) [[fa icon="facebook-square"]Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Together-Patient-Advocates-1203451539747384/) [[fa icon="linkedin-square"]LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-mcilnay-6abb87132) [![NAHAC-Member-Badge200x112+(1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NAHAC-Member-Badge200x112+(1).gif?width=200&name=NAHAC-Member-Badge200x112+(1).gif)](https://www.nahac.com/#!event-list)[![bahca_logo](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bahca_logo.png?width=142&name=bahca_logo.png)](https://bayareahealthcareadvocates.org/) [![GNA_2020_Member_Badge](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GNA_2020_Member_Badge.png?width=266&name=GNA_2020_Member_Badge.png)](https://www.gnanow.org/)     [![PACB-wide-logo-300dpi](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PACB-wide-logo-300dpi.png?width=5026&name=PACB-wide-logo-300dpi.png "PACB-wide-logo-300dpi")](https://pacboard.org/bcpa-what-does-bcpa-mean/) Copyright 2026 | Designed with [fa icon="heart"] by [HubSpot](https://www.hubspot.com) [[fa icon="chevron-up"]Back to top](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis#)