- Explore treatment options with your physician and seek referrals for dementia experts and support systems. Although currently there is no cure for dementia, some medications have been proven to minimize symptoms.
- Develop a plan of care. Identify community resources and people who can offer advice and support to help with practical matters such as:
- Conduct a home safety evaluation and make modifications as needed.
- Consider home alert systems for summoning help, such as life alert necklaces and ID bracelets.
- Introduce a system of memory aids for appointments, phone numbers, addresses, and family contact information.
- Implement a medication organization and administration system to ensure medications are taken promptly and accurately.
- Preplan meals.
- If feasible, provide a cell phone with information and applications plugged in to help with memory support, including smart home appliances.
- Evaluate driving skills and be prepared to conduct regular evaluations for safety. Determine alternative transportation.
- Very importantly, get legal and financial affairs in order. Determine who will be responsible for managing health care and finances. Establish a living will and durable powers of attorney (POA). An attorney specializing in elder law may be helpful.
- Maintain a lifestyle that is as mentally and physically active as possible. A healthy diet, ongoing opportunities for social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and a focus on happy times and abilities, not disabilities, are crucial.
First Steps After a Dementia Diagnosis
The words no one wants to hear are, “You (or your loved one) have the beginning stages of dementia.” Whether it's Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, it’s a terrifying and overwhelming diagnosis. However, with all the research and advancements available, steps can be taken to prepare for—and even lessen—some of the symptoms and changes that come with Alzheimer’s disease.
