An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be a traumatic experience, even if it’s not entirely surprising. Before proceeding further, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends getting a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis. Proactively seeking an accurate diagnosis as early as possible ensures appropriate treatment and gives your loved one the opportunity to take an active role in their care plan, including whether they want to continue living at home, which memory care facility they want to live in, and who should make decisions on their behalf when they can no longer do so.  

Once an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is confirmed, you should expect to experience a full spectrum of emotions. Nora O’Brien, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Executive Director of Willow Gardens Memory Care, speaks to the importance of processing the roller-coaster of emotions that may accompany an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. She says, “Give yourself and your loved one time to grieve and feel emotions — which may include denial, sadness, anger, guilt and frustration. Remember that your loved one is more than this disease. Though your relationship may change over time and you and they will experience loss, their need for belonging will remain.”

Alzheimer’s is a chronic disease that may continue for 20 years or more. It may not be realistic to mentally prepare for every challenge and victory the coming years may bring, but there are a few steps you can take to gear up for the journey.  

Educate Yourself

Chances are that your loved one’s diagnosis is the first time you’ve had an up-close and personal experience with Alzheimer’s. Educating yourself as much as possible can help alleviate fears and prepare you for the future. Unfortunately, even a quick internet search can overwhelm you with a massive amount of information. For now, topics to pay attention to include the stages of Alzheimer’s, common caregiving issues, available treatment options, and what lifestyle practices might help slow the progression of the disease.    

Get Organized

Getting organized not only helps you take on challenges as they arise, but it can also give you a sense of control in an unpredictable situation.  

Money

Early-stage Alzheimer’s is the best time to take legal and practical steps to protect your loved one’s assets. If you haven’t had an active role in helping them manage their finances, then it’s important to have a frank discussion about their financial situation, including monthly income, options for funding their care, and any credit card debt or loans they have.

Record-Keeping

Develop a system for record-keeping by organizing designated binders or folders where you can store your loved one’s financial records, medical records, and contact information for anyone who’s important to them. It’s a good idea to create these records as soon as possible early in the diagnosis, so your loved one can tell you who they want on the list.  

Dates

Setting up an easily visible calendar in your loved one’s home can help them remember medical appointments, scheduled visits with friends and family, and support group meetings. Many dementia specialists also recommend helping the individual get into the habit of maintaining a dated journal where they can write notes, details of a conversation, and other day-to-day things they want to remember.  

Helpful Resources

Create a resource list of names and contact information of local organizations that can provide care for your loved one. This list can include local churches and nonprofit agencies that host support groups and engagement activities, along with friends and family members who’ve volunteered to run errands or help with home maintenance.  

Build Your Team

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is a big job, and you don’t have to do it alone. Building a care team of specialists can connect you with helpful pointers, emotional support, and insight into what to expect as your loved one’s condition evolves.

A Primary Care Physician

An experienced primary care physician provides routine and preventative care while monitoring and treating a variety of health conditions. It’s important that the primary care physician is easily accessible, has experience managing memory conditions, and is happy to answer lots of questions from concerned family members. If your loved one’s current doctor doesn’t fit the bill, you may want to consider transferring to a new one.  

A Physician Specialist

As soon as possible, connect with a doctor who specializes in an area related to Alzheimer’s and has extensive experience in treating those with this disease. This may include:

• A geriatrician (specialist in aging and age-related disorders)
• A primary care doctor who specializes in caring for patients over 50
• A neurologist (specialist in disorders of the nervous system; some specialize in geriatric neurology)  
• A psychiatrist (specialist in mental illness; some specialize in geriatric psychiatry)  

A Psychologist or Neuropsychologist  

A psychologist can help you understand the impact the disease may have on your loved one’s moods, behavior, and personality. A neuropsychologist can help you understand how the condition of your loved one’s brain affects their ability to communicate and remember information. Both can help you proactively manage behavioral and psychological issues that arise as the disease progresses.  

Geriatric Care Specialists

Geriatric care specialists include social workers, case managers, care coordinators, and care consultants who have special training and experience working with older adults with Alzheimer’s. They can assess your loved one’s condition and give pointers on helping them maintain a high quality of life. Services they provide may include:

• Evaluating your loved one’s ability to live independently and perform certain tasks
• Assisting with developing and updating a care plan
• Providing information about services and resources available in your community
• Coordinating services, such as home-delivered meals, transportation and respite care
• Giving practical advice on care-related issues
• Mediating conflicts between family members who have different perspectives on their loved one’s care

A Home Healthcare Nurse or Aide

Serving as the primary caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming, especially as the disease progresses and your loved one’s need for care and supervision changes. Even if you feel like you have a good handle on their care now, hiring a home healthcare nurse or aide to serve as an extra set of hands can save you from burnout later on.

An Elder Law Attorney

An elder law attorney can serve as an objective third party in helping families navigate difficult decisions related to managing their loved one’s assets and deciding who should make decisions on their behalf. They can help draft legal documents outlining who should make financial, legal, and medical decisions on behalf of your loved one when they’re no longer able to do so themselves.

Plan Ahead for Care

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, it’s possible that very little in your loved one’s life needs to change. Most people with early-stage Alzheimer’s can remain in their own homes with sufficient supports and daily checks.

The exception to this is driving. Because poor judgment and getting lost are hallmarks of the disease, driving can be very dangerous, even for someone with early-stage Alzheimer’s. Now’s the time to make other arrangements for transportation.

While the progression of Alzheimer’s can be slowed for some, the reality is that decline is inevitable. There are several options for ensuring that your loved one’s care needs are met, including hiring a live-in aide or transitioning to a memory care facility, which may either be freestanding or located within an assisted living facility. Having a plan in place can save you from the stress of second-guessing your decisions.

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