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Planning for Long-Term Dementia Care: A Checklist

When you or a loved one receive a diagnosis of dementia, you find yourself at the beginning of a long journey. Everyone’s journey will be different, but no matter where the road leads, a comprehensive plan for long-term care is one of the best things you can do for yourself or your loved one. By planning ahead, you’ll be able to better manage the situation and give you and your loved ones peace of mind.

“Dementia is a long-term disease with many stages, so it’s important to thoroughly educate yourself about how best to treat yourself or a loved one in the early, mid and late stages,” says Addie Ricci, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk, located in Norwalk, CT. “No matter what difficulties you or your loved one will face in the years ahead, making a plan will allow you to gain some control of the situation.”

“The best course of action is to prepare for all the stages of dementia at once, so that when you or your loved one require a higher level of care, the decisions have already been made,” says Addie. “Depending on what the future holds, this plan may need to be revisited many times throughout the journey. Fortunately, as time goes on, you will become more and more savvy about what’s needed, and you’ll be able to better find caregiver resources and other support networks.”

Checklist for Early Stages of Dementia

  • Learn as much as you can about dementia. There are a wide variety of resources available to help individuals understand this disease and what to expect. Speaking to others who have gone or are going through the memory loss journey can also be very beneficial. Become a sponge and absorb as much information as you can, ask questions and arm yourself with the knowledge you need.
  • Get legal documents in order. There are four documents that you or your loved one will need to have in place in order to allow others to provide care.
    • A healthcare power of attorney, which allows a representative to make healthcare decisions for the individual with dementia if they are not able to do so themselves.
    • A financial power of attorney, which enables a representative to make financial decisions and sign for the individual if they become unable to do so.
    • A HIPAA release for medical information.
    • A last will and testament.
  • Choose a representative. Discuss with your family who will be “in charge” of making decisions for the individual with dementia. Remember that one person doesn’t have to be responsible for every single factor. Perhaps one person will be responsible for financial decisions, while another will handle more of a caregiving role.
  • Make caregiving decisions. If you or a loved one are in the early stages of dementia, caregiving may not yet be an immediate need. This gives you time to research caregiving solutions near you and determine what is best for you and your family. Will a family member become a caregiver? What will happen when the caregiving need is too great? Would it make sense to move into a memory care assisted living community?
  • Find support. Support is essential for everyone involved in the dementia journey. Caregivers can find support groups both in person and online. The individual with dementia has more resources than ever these days, with organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association® and other groups that can connect and support individuals with dementia. You will also want to create an in-person support network with friends and family who will be able to assist on a more day-to-day level.

Checklist for Mid- to Late-Stage Dementia

  • Research available care. As dementia progresses you or your loved one will require more and more assistance. At this stage, services like respite care, home care services, adult day care programs and more will be of great help to you and your primary caregiver. Your local Area Agency on Aging is a good resource to help connect you with these services.
  • Make changes to the living space. If the person with dementia will be living at home, changes will need to be made in order for them to live safely.
  • Look into memory care options. As dementia progresses, specific memory care services may be needed. Different communities handle these shifting needs in different ways, so be sure to tour each community and determine which best matches your loved one’s unique needs and lifestyle preferences.

Checklist for Late-Stage Dementia

  • Know what to expect. It’s important to be aware of what issues to expect as dementia progresses. This can better help loved ones make decisions and keep the individual comfortable.
  • Create an advanced care plan. Reflect on your or your loved one’s desires for how they would like to be treated during decline or a healthcare crisis. Write down their wishes so they are easily available.
  • Look into long-term, palliative care and hospice options. As the disease progresses, consider what type of care will be most suitable. How and when might your loved one want to dial back on medical care? How can their quality of life and well-being be best served in the late stages of dementia?

Remember to Re-Assess

Although we all want our plans to go smoothly, understand that a long-term care plan for dementia is really just a starting point. Throughout the journey, you and your loved ones will gain more information and learn from your experiences. Periodically, you will want to revisit your long-term plan in order to make sure it still reflects the desires and needs of your loved one.

If you would like more information about planning long-term dementia care, contact us at 203.523.0510. 

Compassionate Care for All Stages of Memory Loss

Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.

Personalized Services

Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk’s services are designed to recognize and adapt to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident, while ensuring comfort and safety. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide a high level of personalized attention for every stage of memory loss. At Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk, our residents have it all for one simple monthly fee.

Community Amenities

Within a beautiful residential design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk provides everything residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias need to enjoy comfort, familiarity and security. Soft colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations create a peaceful and secure environment where residents feel at home.

Call us today at 203.523.0510 to learn more about Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk or to schedule a personal tour.

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