What to Do When You Suspect Dementia: Part 2 – Andrea Leavitt
Recently I shared with you the first two steps to take when you suspect dementia. Read about them here in Part 1.
So, you’ve had an assessment and begun to educate yourself about about the disease process. What next? Now it’s time to Build your Team and Get Support.
Build a Team – Get your affairs in order.
- Make sure that the primary care physician is knowledgeable about the medical needs of elders. A geriatrician is ideal.
- Meet with an elder law attorney to get legal affairs decided and give authority to those who will need to act on behalf of the senior.
- Put a financial plan together in anticipation of increased need of care.
- Hire a professional geriatric care manager to help with decision making. They’ll also provide expert advice on services and facilities as well as education about the processes. They will be an important advocate along the way.
Get Support – There are terrific community resources you can access.
- Check with the local Area Agency on Aging,
- attend support groups,
- and share your story with friends, family and your religious community.
- Participate in activities offered at senior centers.
- Employ paid caregivers/companions for respite and on-going care.
- Seek support from a mental health professional who can address common issues seen with dementia (and for family members) particularly grief and loss as well as anxiety and depression.
RESOURCES:
Johnson County, Kansas: Senior Centers
Alzheimer’s Association Support Group Search:
Aging Life Care Association (Geriatric Care Management)
Isolation can be the most devastating and dangerous part of aging with symptoms of dementia. Get connected. Resources are available and there is no need to go this alone. AgeWise serves the greater Kansas City metro area and can consult by phone at greater distances. Contact us today.
Stay tuned, part three of this series to come!