Caring for a loved one with dementia comes with a unique set of challenges that often require professional support to effectively manage long-term care. Because dementia is a deteriorating condition, a physician/caregiver/patient relationship is the recommended approach for meeting the needs of elderly patients with dementia.
Follow these 5 steps to plan ahead and find the Geriatric Care Management support you need:
Making sure physicians who are overseeing medical care for your loved one understand your needs as a family caregiver and the challenges you face are essential aspects of caring for the person with dementia. The physician can help caregivers anticipate changes, plan for role transitions, and arrange for education and support that is needed to provide care.
In the earliest stages of the disease, it is helpful for caregivers to identify a health care proxy for the person with dementia. Encourage the completion of a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care form (your physician should have copies available in their office.) The copy of completed forms becomes part of the patient’s record. (See What is a Health Directive for Dementia? for a downloadable dementia-specific health care form.)
Caregivers need to maintain their personal health and vitality to provide continuing care for the demented patient. Taking the time for self-care will help reduce thedura chances of Caregiver Burnout (Also see Dementia and Caregiving Challenges).
Caregivers should become familiar early in the illness with adult day-care services and in-home or in-facility respite services.
It is helpful for caregivers to visit and evaluate several long-term care facilities well ahead of the need for placement. Understand that institutionalization may be a normal progression in the process.
Contact us if you need helping finding Geriatric Care Management support and resources.
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