A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia can be difficult. Getting accurate information and dependable guidance and support is essential. Planning for health care, financial, and long-term care decisions brings peace of mind.
As Aging Life Care professionals, we focus on clients’ well-being and quality of life. We also understand the value of clients being informed and prepared, especially when health, cognition, or other circumstances change.
Preparation emerges as the key to embracing the evolving chapters of life while maintaining a sense of control and independence.
Here are some tips to get you started:
Learn About Your Condition. Being informed will help you to better understand changes that will happen as your condition progresses. Here are some great resources for clarity and hope:
- University of Washington Memory and Brain Wellness Center (UW MBWC)
- Online guide — Living with Memory Loss: A Basic Guide (UW MBWC)
- Online guide — Living with Memory Loss: A Basic Guide (UW MBWC)
- Lewy Body Dementia Association
- Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
- Check your local library for books, audiobooks, and other resources and tools. Some books our team recommends include:
- What the Hell Happened to My Brain?: Living Beyond Dementia by Kate Swaffer
- Alzheimer’s from the Inside Out by Richard Taylor
- Living Your Best with Early-Stage Alzheimer’s by Lisa Snyder
Connect with Local Services and Supports. In addition to the organizations listed above, you may find these resources helpful:
- Community Living Connections (King County)
- Snohomish County Long-Term Care & Aging (LTCA)
- Eldercare Locator – 1-800-677-1116
Make sure your Legal, Financial, and Long-Term Care Planning are in order. Engaging knowledgeable professionals who can offer guidance and expertise. This includes building a care team of people – family, friends, and professionals — who will partner with you for support, navigation, and advocacy.
- Legal paperwork. Prepare or update your will, living will, health care power of attorney, and financial power of attorney. If you haven’t done
your paperwork, we encourage you to contact an Elder Law attorney. Check the WA Academy of Elder Law Attorneys or contact our office, and we are happy to make a referral. - Long-Term Care. Learn about future care needs and how to pay for it. What is Long-Term Care (LTC) and Who Needs It? (Administration on Community Living)
- Explore getting help to pay for medicines, housing, transportation, and more at BenefitsCheckUp® (National Council on Aging)
- Planning for the future. Planning After a Dementia Diagnosis from Alzheimers.gov, an official website of the United States government.
- Let’s Talk Dementia Mini Videos — from individuals living with dementia and their care partners (Washington State Dementia Action Collaborative)
Be safe at home. Home safety tips are an effective way to support aging-in-place. Use the guides below to evaluate your living space and to alert you to potential hazards,
- Home safety tips. Have you made your home safer? Assessed your home for potential hazards? Are you prepared for possible emergencies?
- Check out these home safety tips from the National Institute on Aging.
- The AARP HomeFit Guide is also a wonderful resource.
- Home-safety Evaluation. Medicare may cover the cost of a home-safety evaluation. Ask your doctor to order an evaluation and recommend a home health care agency to conduct it.
Get Connected. Over time, friends and family may start to fade away and your world begins to feel smaller. As you encounter tricky situations, you might struggle with how to navigate them gracefully. Fortunately, there are different ways to connect with others who are on a similar path. You are not alone!
- The Memory Hub, a place for dementia-friendly community, collaboration, and impact. A program of the UW Memory and Brain Wellness
Center.
- The Memory Hub also has a resource library. Click here to learn more.
- PNA Memory Loss Programs at the Greenwood Senior Center includes zoo walks, support groups, The Gathering Place, art appreciation, and more.
- Momentia is a grassroots movement empowering persons with memory loss and their loved ones to remain connected and active in the community.
- Memory Cafes in western Washington State.
Stay Healthy. Taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health can contribute to improved well-being, better coping strategies, and quality of life.
- Be active! Getting physically active helps people living with Alzheimer’s to feel better, balanced, and engaged.
- Eat a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Creative Engagement, an Aging Wisdom service that taps into and encourages a personal connection, enjoyment, and a sense of purpose. Our Specialists tailor experiences to each client’s unique talents and interests to enhance quality of life.
- Continue to enjoy time with family and friends, your hobbies, and outings.
It’s natural to be unsure about the best steps forward. We are here to provide expert navigation in a time of uncertainty. Click here to schedule a get-acquainted call with one of our Certified Care Managers.
