There is no doubt that receiving the stunning diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia is devastating. While taking time to mourn the life that you are losing is a necessary step in the acceptance process, there comes a time when action is necessary, if not imperative.
Before cognitive impairment worsens, it’s important for the patient to make plans for themselves and for their family, while they still have the mental capacity to do so. The first order of business is to build a team of professionals. While having doctors to oversee medical care is imperative, it’s also important to consider all the others who are experts in their field who can help navigate this journey, among them attorneys, geriatric care managers and certified financial planners.
Don’t forget to also read The End of Alzheimer’s, by Dr. Dale E. Bredesen.
Drawing up legal documents.
Hiring an elder-law attorney is one of the first professionals you should seek out. One of the most challenging questions for families is whether the individual with dementia is able to understand and sign legal documents. The most crucial documents are financial and health care powers of attorney. If the disease was diagnosed early on, which truly is rarely the case, they may still have the capacity to do so. The lawyer obtained can seek a clinical evaluation to determine whether the client still has the decision-making skills to execute these and other documents. Time is of the essence and acting quickly is important; progression of disease can be swift. Alzheimer’s and the Law: Counseling Clients with Dementia and Their Families by Kerry Peck, Rick L. Law, Brandon Peck and Diana Law addresses a multitude of legal and health questions people with a recent diagnosis of dementia should consider as they plan for the future.
The advance-care directive is another important document, which provides directives on end-of-life treatment. It’s best if the patient is able to have a say in this important part of their care, as they could live for many years after diagnosis. This gives them the opportunity to have a say in their preferences for care settings or caregivers.
Looking at care options.
Navigating all the care options available can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with the early reckoning of the disease. A geriatric care manager can help educate the patient and family members about the support resources available. They’re also experts in the different areas of care — from home services to residential memory care facilities — and can assist in choosing the best options for your family. In addition, care managers are beneficial in helping families discern when the next level of care might be necessary.
The financial aspects of long-term care.
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia related illnesses are often protracted diseases that require stages of long-term care. Families should work with a financial planner to evaluate family assets that could pay for home care, an assisted living facility or nursing home. Financial planners can assist in looking at the different levels of care, what each costs and planning for worse-case scenarios.
While these diagnoses are life-altering, it’s important to recognize that even though you are wading into unchartered territory, there are many who have gone before you. Having knowledge about the resources available, and the professional trained to deal with Alzheimer’s and dementia on every level, can ease your journey and take out much of the fear. Read our blog post on creative ways caretakers are providing alternative treatment to dementia patients HERE.