Conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease progress at an alarming pace. For this reason, it is advisable for families to devise a care plan for the future. While it could be years down the road before your parent becomes incapacitated due to this illness, a plan could help you. This way everyone already knows who is taking care of dad or mom and if the chosen facility is right for him.
How To Help Your Parent Create A Care Plan
While your parent may have an existing legal care plan, this doesn't indicate that they have chosen a nursing home. After a diagnosis of these or similar illnesses, the first step is to schedule a tour of preferred facilities. This enables you and your parent to learn more about the facility. You'll discover how they manage care for seniors with this mental illness firsthand.
A tour allows your parent to interact with other seniors within the facility. This helps them to evaluate the facility and determine if it makes them uncomfortable. The goal is to make a well-informed decision based on your parent's wishes. Many places have in-depth tours that feature activities, meals and individual rooms.
Making Arrangements Ahead of Time
As the disease progresses, your parent will become disoriented more frequently. They won't be able to continue to perform simple, daily tasks such as bathing or brushing their teeth without assistance. The chances of them falling and becoming seriously injured are also more probable. For this reason, you and your parent should discuss residency with your preferred nursing home. It is possible in some cases for you to secure a space for them if they don't have an existing waiting list.
Areas in which there is a limited amount of space or reduced amount of care facilities have waiting lists. When this is the case, the facility could add your parent to the list and contact you when a space is available. Seniors who are added more likely to acquire the type of accommodations of their choosing when they needed to be admitted into a care facility.
Seniors who have a family history of Alzheimer's Disease should devise strategies for a future care plan. This prepares their family for if they are diagnosed and decline quickly. To begin these tactics, schedule tours with local nursing facilities to acquire more information.
