Tips for Planning Ahead for Alzheimer’s Care

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging. As the condition progresses, they may have more difficulty making decisions for themselves and require additional assistance. Planning ahead can allow them to have more say in how they want their medical care, finances, and other decisions handled. This can also relieve some of the stress on caregivers when trying to sort things out later.

Educate yourself about Alzheimer’s and how it can impact your loved one. Know what to expect and signs to look for that their condition is progressing. Learn how to be more supportive and help them to remain as independent as possible.

Consider Power of Attorney so that you have the authority to make decisions on behalf of your loved one. This can be easier to arrange ahead of time while their memory is still fairly good so that they can specify how they want things handled. You can make sure that you are following their wishes while doing what is in their best interest. It may also be helpful to contact a financial planner to help organize their finances and ensure everything is taken care of.

Make modifications around the home to decrease safety risks. Install hand rails, put down slip resistant mats, increase lighting, and make any repairs necessary. Post emergency numbers where they are easily visible and consider adding labels to drawers and cabinets to help your loved one remember where things are.

Arrange for in-home care that can be adjusted as your loved one needs more support. In-home care offers a wide range of services and can be tailored to meet specific needs. This can help your senior to maintain their independence while getting assistance as needed with tasks they find more challenging. It can also provide additional safety and monitoring of their wellbeing.

Establish routines that can help your senior to better remember daily tasks. Having a set schedule can reduce frustration and ease transitions. Small cues can help them know what to expect and allow them to be more involved.

Periodically re-evaluate to make sure your plans are still as effective as possible. You may need to adjust the amount of care they receive, make additional modifications around the home, or begin taking more control over decision making. Monitor the progress of their Alzheimer’s so that you know what you are dealing with and how to address various situations.

Being proactive with Alzheimer’s care can help you to make the most of the time you spend with your loved one and help them to maximize their wellbeing too. Having plans in place allows you to reduce the stress you may feel when trying to manage everything and gives you peace of mind that you are prepared to handle things as they arise. The most important thing is to talk with your loved one and get them as involved in early decision making as possible so you know that their wishes and needs are being met as they age.