Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint this page

What to Do After a Dementia Diagnosis

A caregiver holding the hands of an older adult.
A caregiver holding the hands of an older adult.

Even if it was expected, an official dementia diagnosis can be a big shock to you and your loved one. It may feel overwhelming, but there are 5 steps to help you regain your footing and plan for the future.

1. Take a moment to process

The first thing to do give yourself a moment, take a deep breath, and let yourself feel what you’re feeling. There’s a lot for you and your loved one to process.

Before anything, take time to understand how you feel. Are you sad? Stressed? Confused? There are a lot of thoughts and emotions that may be crossing your mind, and it’s important to acknowledge these feelings when building a long-term care plan. Consider talking it through with a friend, family member, or a specialist. Once you’ve collected your thoughts, you’ll be able to approach the situation with a clear mind.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts and New Hampshire offers a 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900. Connect with a live person who can provide information and emotional support.

2. Make an immediate care plan

Once you’re ready to take the next step, it’s time to make a care plan for day-to-day life. You may have already spoken to your doctor about what to expect in the near future and resources that might help. These might include:

  • Homemaker services, which can help with everyday chores
  • Personal care services, which can help with grooming, bathing, and dressing
  • Heavy chore services, which can help with seasonal deep-cleans and more involved household jobs
  • Medication management services
  • Case and care management services, so you don’t have to coordinate everything alone
  • Companion services to ease isolation
  • Medical alert systems
  • 24/7 emergency response team to locate wanderers, activating the community when a loved one wanders and becomes lost
  • Home modifications and support devices

Interested in any of these? Reach out to our information and referral specialists at Boston ElderINFO by calling 617-292-6211 or through the button below to learn if your loved one qualifies.

Make A Referral

Additionally, if you or your loved one are still working, it may be helpful to ask your employer about:

  • Disability insurance
  • Retirement benefits
  • Other employer-provided support programs

The goal of these is to get relief here and now, and set up a solid, trustworthy support system before dementia progresses.

3. Make a long-term care plan

With crucial daily support in place, the next step is to plan for the long-term. How does your loved one’s dementia diagnosis change what your future looks like?

Some aspects to consider are:

  • Savings and finances
  • Legal planning
  • Medical directives
  • Housing and relocation
  • Family involvement
  • Driving
  • In-home supports
  • End-of-life care

A conversation with your loved one now ensures their wishes will be honored as their dementia progresses. This helps ensure that, in the future, any choices you make reflect your loved one’s wishes.

Need some help with managing your loved one’s finances? PLAN of MA & RI is a trustworthy fiduciary service and trustee who can help you plan and secure your loved one’s future. Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation with a specialist.

4. Find support for yourself

After all this planning for your loved one, it’s time to take a moment and plan for your own needs. It’s equally important to find support for yourself and make sure that you’ll be okay as well.

You might need anything from emotional support, an extra pair of hands, or advice on how to care for your loved one. And, as you and your loved one age, these needs might change.

Our Caregiver Solutions team is here to support you through every step of the journey. We can help you arrange services, look for resources, and get personalized support for your individual needs.

Get in touch with your caregiver advisor, or submit a referral online to let us know what we can do for you.

5. Browse dementia toolkits

There’s a vast wealth of dementia information, research, resources, and tips. It’s impossible for anyone to keep track of it all.

Thankfully, several organizations have done the hard work to compile everything into one handy document, called a “dementia toolkit.” These resources can act as go-to guidelines to point you in the right direction for any dementia or caregiver needs you may have.

Check out the following dementia toolkits from local organizations:

Share