Getting the Alzheimer’s Diagnosis for Your Loved One.
In most cases, the family already knows that Mom or Dad is becoming more forgetful or disorientated and suspects a diagnosis of early stage Alzheimer’s. Although there may be denial at first, there is nothing that rings home when the Doctor says “Your mother (or father) has Alzheimer’s.” Now, it is confirmed and you may experience a whole range of emotions and concerns. No doubt you are asking yourself questions like:
How bad will the disease get?
Will Mom (or Dad) have to move in with us?
What will we do when we can no longer care for Mom (or Dad)?
What medications can delay this process?
How can we afford the care?
There are so many questions. So, what is next?
If you have other family members that can and want to help support your loved one, it is important that you all share your concerns together and begin a plan or learn how to plan for Alzheimer’s care. Education and Support are biggies. The more education and support you and other family members have, the better you will be able to help your loved one. So, start educating yourself on what to do. There are plenty of local Alzheimer’s Support Groups that your family can go to. You will find a wealth of information there and talk to others that are experiencing the same challenges your family is. The internet is full of information, too. No planning process can be too soon to start making decisions on caring for your loved one and for yourself. If nothing else, plan on learning how to create a family plan for your loved one!
Depending on the stage of Alzheimer’s your loved one is in; you may want to include them in on the planning process. Understanding what they would want will help make the decision process easier for the family, assuming they are lucid enough to make decisions. Make sure you put everything in writing so it can easily be retrieved and reviewed at a later date.
If you feel overwhelmed with thought of planning for care, you can reach out to a Geriatric Care Manager. Geriatric care managers can provide an initial assessment as well as assistance with managing your case, including crisis management, interviewing in-home help, or assisting with placement in an assisted living facility or nursing home if need be.
In conclusion, I cannot emphasize the importance of planning and making decisions sooner than later.
