When a senior in your life starts needing more physical, mental, or emotional help than they can provide for themselves, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. At Senior Helpers of South Minneapolis, we understand the complexity of these decisions, and we're here to help. Today, we're sharing an essential dementia care planning checklist to help cover all the bases to ensure your loved one gets the care they need.
Talk With Their Primary Doctor
Start by speaking to their primary doctor. This will help you get a better understanding of what their medical needs and treatments may be. Additionally, the doctor can provide advice and referrals for any specialists or other resources your loved one may need. Continuing to work with a doctor and seeking advice for any new symptoms or worries that arise can help you stay as informed as possible about what to do and how to help.
Research Helpful Resources
Next, start researching dementia-specific resources, such as support groups, memory care facilities, and in-home care services. The more informed you are about what's available, the better chance you have of finding the best possible care for your loved one.
Support groups are available for both you and your senior loved one as you navigate this new phase of life. You can often get helpful advice from others who have been through a similar situation.
Get the Whole Family Involved
When it comes to dementia care planning, it's important to involve the whole family. Openly discuss everyone's opinions and concerns, and make sure everyone is on the same page before making any big decisions. By having everyone in the know, you can ensure your senior loved one receives the care and attention required no matter who's visiting.
Make a Financial Plan
Making a financial plan is an important part of dementia care planning. Consider the cost of care and the potential of long-term care planning, such as insurance and legal documents. Figure out the costs of in-home care services, additions that you should do to your home to make life easier for your loved one (such as grab bars, step-in showers, etc.), and required medications. It all needs to be carefully budgeted. You can also look into local and state resources that may be able to assist financially.
Carefully Monitor Progress
Monitor your loved one's condition regularly. This will help you stay on top of any physical, mental, or emotional changes. Plus, it will help you make sure your care plan is still the best one for them. If it's not, some decisions can be made to change it for the better.
Develop a Medical and Legal Care Plan
It's also necessary to ensure all legal documents are in order and that there's a power of attorney appointed to make final decisions. Have a will that includes the end-of-life wishes for your loved one, such as whether they prefer burial or cremation.
In fact, these are tough plans to consider. However, having a plan in place makes things much easier to handle when the time arises. Additionally, make sure all medical documents are up to date, like insurance information and other details relevant to their care.
Seek Assistance From Senior Helpers of South Minneapolis
We hope this dementia care planning checklist is helpful in making sure you're covering all the bases for your loved one's care plan. If you're in or around Minnetonka, Saint Paul, Minneapolis, or Hennepin County, we'd love to help.
Get in touch with Senior Helpers of South Minneapolis to learn more about how we can assist you through this confusing time, including in-home care services with dementia care provided.