As seniors age, it becomes more important to plan for the future – this is especially true, however, for those with memory loss. Why is this? According to Michelle Pelham, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua, a memory care assisted living community in Nashua, NH, it’s because you want to be prepared far before an emergency arises to ensure your needs are met.
“We often like to plan ahead for the good things in life, but we often put off decisions like our financial plans, wills and even future care,” Michelle states. “While we may do this because it’s not always pleasant to think about, planning ahead can actually provide you and your family with greater security and peace of mind.”
“Delaying such important decisions can leave room for error, allow for choices to be made without your wishes at heart and can even cause additional stress and strife for you and your family, especially as memory loss progresses,” Michelle adds.
Whether yourself or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, we’re here to help you through your future planning journey. Learn why you should start planning now – and discover how to get started.
Why Should I Start Planning for the Future Before Dementia Progresses?
The best time to plan for the future is either prior to a diagnosis of memory loss or shortly after. Consider some of these top reasons why.
- It can help ensure your wishes are met. You know what your wishes are best. By taking the responsibilities of future planning and putting them into action now, you’ll be able to ensure your assets are distributed as you please, your care is planned for appropriately and that your family will not question your decisions, as you’ve been clear about your wants, expectations and preferences.
- You’ll give your family comfort. Knowing that they don’t need to make your decisions for you can help them relax knowing you’ve planned the care you desire. If you’re currently helping a loved one with dementia plan for their future, it’ll help you have a clearer idea of what they expect as their disease progresses.
- Dementia can affect problem solving and planning skills. Memory loss can affect parts of the brain that allow you to make decisions in an effective and informed way, making it hard for you to plan for your future care and your estate plan as the disease progresses. This could mean choosing a memory care facility that will not provide the support or lifestyle you need, desire and deserve.
- You can spend your time enjoying what you love. If you don’t need to plan for the future because you’ve already done so, you can simply enjoy peace of mind while spending this time bonding with friends and family, pursuing your passions, enjoying a new lifestyle at a memory care community or checking things off of your list of want-to-dos. It’s a much better way to spend your time than worrying about what happens if you suddenly need more support or care.
- You and your family can get more informed about your disease. Once you have your plans established, you can begin learning more about your form of dementia, including what causes the disease, why some develop dementia and others don’t, what the person with Alzheimer’s or dementia can expect, which symptoms may occur and how you can manage it effectively.
- You can plan for a move. Some older adults in the early stages of dementia may even choose to move to a memory care assisted living community in the early stages so they can enjoy programming, their new suite, the support of expert caregivers, and personal care as needed – all while having the comfort of knowing they won’t need to make a move in the later stages of the disease.
Where Do I Start In Planning for the Future?
Now that we know why future planning is important for seniors, it’s time to get started. Consider touring memory care communities in your area, begin figuring out memory care costs, sharing knowledge and information with family members and more before symptoms of Alzheimer’s increase and memory problems worsen. Need support? Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua is here to help.
Let us share more about our dedicated memory support with various levels of care developed to meet the differing needs of people with dementia, or join us for an upcoming event or support group.
A Fulfilling Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua provides expert memory care within an assisted living environment that is comfortable, positive and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community offers a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity, independence and fulfillment in daily life.
Dedicated Memory Care
Our programs, care and services are all designed to celebrate our residents’ lives and support each resident’s individual strengths and abilities. No matter what stage of memory loss a resident may be experiencing, our memory care professionals work to maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a positive impact on the lives of our residents every day.
Stunning, Purpose-Built Design
Featuring a stunning, purposeful design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua is so much more than a beautiful place to live . . . It’s a community focused on enriching the lives of our residents and helping their families enjoy meaningful relationships with them. Our evidence-based design features, including soft paint colors, directional cues, and aromatherapy, provide a soothing and easy-to-navigate environment.
Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.
Contact us today to learn more.