Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be overwhelming, making it challenging to look beyond the immediate concerns. However, taking proactive steps now can pave the way for a more manageable future.
As the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and related dementias progress, cognitive challenges may hinder clear decision-making. Early planning empowers individuals to articulate their preferences and convey them to the appropriate parties.
Here are legal documents to consider, along with resources and tips, to guide planning for healthcare, financial matters, long-term care, and end-of-life decisions.
Ensure you’re finding time for self-care with Alzheimer’s.
Tips for Planning
Several tips and checklists can assist in navigating the complexities after an Alzheimer’s or related dementia diagnosis:
- Initiate early discussions with family members about future plans
- Consolidate important documents in one accessible location, ensuring a trusted person knows where to find them
- Regularly update documents to reflect changing circumstances
- Distribute copies of health care directives across medical files
- Grant advance permission to doctors or lawyers to communicate directly with a designated caregiver if necessary
Proactive planning today provides invaluable support for individuals and their families as Alzheimer’s or related dementia symptoms progress.
Health Care Planning
Advance directives, legal documents effective when decision-making capacity is compromised, play a crucial role in health care planning. They communicate an individual’s healthcare preferences in advance, guiding medical professionals in treatment decisions. Two primary components of advance directives include:
- A living will outlines treatment preferences in scenarios of impending death or permanent unconsciousness.
- A durable power of attorney for health care designates a proxy to make medical decisions when the individual cannot.
Discussing these directives with family, friends, and healthcare providers ensures alignment with personal care preferences. Addressing potential complications associated with the condition, such as difficulty swallowing in advanced Alzheimer’s stages, is also crucial.
Medical decisions to consider in advance include:
- Do not intubate (DNI) order, specifying the refusal of a breathing machine
- Do not resuscitate (DNR) order, instructing against CPR or life-support procedures
- Other medical orders, like POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) or MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment), detailing preferences for life-sustaining measures during emergencies
- Options for organ and tissue donation, contributing to transplant initiatives
- Brain donation for scientific research, aiding studies on Alzheimer’s and related dementias
Financial Planning
Financial planning directives are documents conveying a person’s financial wishes, requiring creation while legal capacity is intact. Key documents include:
- A will, specifying the distribution and management of one’s estate upon death, including property, money, and financial assets
- A durable power of attorney for finances designates an individual to make financial decisions on the person’s behalf
- A living trust, appointing a trustee to manage property and funds when the individual can no longer handle affairs
Consulting lawyers for the creation of these documents ensures legal compliance. Resources for locating lawyers include online directories, local libraries, bar associations, or the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
Long-Term Care Planning
Anticipating the potential need for long-term care is crucial as Alzheimer’s progresses. Collaborating with geriatric care managers, often nurses or social workers, helps in creating a comprehensive long-term care plan.
Considering factors like the person’s residence, available community services, and advance planning timelines is vital. Long-term care options, whether at home or an external facility, should align with the individual’s evolving needs, safety, and well-being.
End-of-Life Planning
As there is no cure for Alzheimer’s and related dementias, planning for end-of-life care becomes significant. Although some treatments may manage symptoms, the gradual decline in a person’s condition necessitates thoughtful decisions. Prioritizing both quality of life and care that may extend life is essential.
When planning for end-of-life care, caregivers may face emotional challenges. Imagining the individual’s preferences and aligning decisions accordingly can guide caregivers in these difficult situations.
Contact us at 832-371-6600 for a free consultation to share the challenges you’re facing, and to learn how our personalized Alzheimer’s and dementia home care services can help you.
Home Matters Caregiving proudly serves the Houston Metro area providing care for seniors wherever they call home.
