Many factors come into the picture if you’re diagnosed with early-stage dementia. One of the important factors to consider is healthcare planning. This means more than just addressing your current medical needs.
One of the difficult aspects of a dementia diagnosis is losing the ability to make decisions for yourself. Setting a plan in place for making your wishes known is an option that you have so you can continue to have a say in your medical care even after you can’t relay those wishes any longer.
Name a healthcare power of attorney
Naming a healthcare power of attorney is one of the most important things you need to do. This individual will make the decisions about your medical care once you can’t make them. Ideally, they’ll be willing to learn about dementia so they have foresight into what you may go through as the condition progresses.
Your power of attorney should know your wishes, so it’s best to discuss those with them while you can. They’ll work with your medical team to ensure your needs are met and that you’re comfortable.
Planning for long-term care needs
As dementia advances, you’ll likely need more specialized care. This may start with in-home care and advance to assisted living or memory care. Planning for this can be challenging, especially if you want to preserve wealth for your beneficiaries.
Discussing your situation and needs with a legal representative who can help you to explore the options you have may be beneficial. Because dementia is a progressive disease, it’s best to do this quickly so you can take care of everything while you’re still able to make decisions for yourself.
