Learning your senior parent has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be devastating. Once the immediate shock subsides, adult children often begin wondering what to do about long-term care for their parents. After an AD diagnosis, there are several things that need immediate attention. Consider the following soon after your loved one’s diagnosis.
Legal Instruments to Protect a Loved One’s Interests
While your loved one still has decision-making capabilities in the aftermath of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, it’s important to get his or her legal interests in order. This includes executing durable powers of attorney for financial purposes as well as healthcare decisions. These legal instruments designate a trusted person to make financial and healthcare decisions on behalf of a senior loved one who ultimately becomes unable to make these determinations independently.
Long-Term Home Care
Eventually, your parent won’t be able to live alone. Ask your loved one if he or she prefers to age in place or move to an assisted living facility. Most seniors prefer to remain in the comfort of their own homes, which is also more beneficial for their long-term wellbeing. If your loved one wants to remain in his or her own home, consider live-in home care. If your parent moves in with you, find an hourly caregiver who can be there when you aren’t.
If your senior loved one has Alzheimer’s and needs help managing daily tasks, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Portland Assisting Hands Home Care provides reliable caregivers around the clock to help your loved one age in place safely and comfortably while living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Driving
It’s likely that when a senior is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he or she currently drives. A candid conversation must be had about establishing milestones for when your loved one will stop driving. Consider putting these milestones in written form as a sort of agreement between your parent and his or her loved ones. This conversation will be difficult for most seniors. Remember to consider your parent’s feelings, take a break if the conversation isn’t going well, and realize it might take more than one conversation.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of elder care Portland, OR, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Having a Family Plan
Alzheimer’s doesn’t just affect the senior who has been diagnosed. After your loved one is diagnosed, sit down with the whole family and develop a master family plan. Such a plan can include which family members are going to be responsible for certain tasks or duties, tips for managing symptoms of Alzheimer’s as it progresses, and new activities family members can do with your loved one at various stages of the disease.
Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Senior Home Care Portland provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your loved one, call us at 503-664-7934 today.
