The Caring Corner®
Who Takes Care of Your Loved One?
Who would care for your loved one with Alzheimer’s should something happen to you?
Our focus is almost always on caring for a loved one. It is less common to think about the arrangements needed if we are not around. To ensure care for your loved senior or elder suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, in the event of your own illness, disability or death, consider the following:
- Consult a lawyer regarding a living trust, durable power of attorney for health care and finances, and other estate planning tools.
- Consult with family and close friends to decide who will take responsibility for your loved one. You also may want to seek information about your local public guardian’s office, mental health conservator’s office, adult protective services, or other case management services. These organizations may have programs to assist the person with Alzheimer’s disease in your absence.
- Preview board and care or long-term care facilities in your community and select a few as possibilities. If your loved one is no longer able to live at home, the responsible person will be better able to carry out your wishes for long-term care
- Maintain a notebook for the responsible person who will be assuming caregiving. Such a notebook should contain the following information:
- emergency numbers
- current problem behaviors and possible solutions
- ways to calm your loved one; these may include photos, trinkets and other memorabilia that remind your loved one of happy times and help them feel safe and secure
- description of the assistance needed with toileting, feeding or grooming; your loved one may have certain preferences regarding these very personal activities
- favorite activities or food
