What Is The Best Environment For A Person Who Is Experiencing The Early Stages Of Alzheimer’s? Should They Continue To Live On Their Own? Or Would It Be Better For Them To Move Closer To Relatives And Caregivers?
If it is at all possible, you should discuss this question directly with your loved one. If they are still able to rationally make their own decisions, ask for their input and carefully consider their thoughts, emotions, and ideas relating to this topic. Consider visiting your loved one in person in order to have this conversation. During your visit, you will be afforded the chance to personally asses their home environment. Think about whether or not you feel comfortable with their living arrangements. Do you think that your loved one might benefit from in-home care? If you decide that in-home care would be beneficial to your loved one, you can get in touch with a geriatric care manager who can look out for your loved one while you are away. If you are not comfortable with this option, or if it is simply not feasible, consider searching for other resources in your loved one’s neighborhood. A social service agency can help you find appropriate resources or facilities to fit your loved one’s needs. If you feel as though your loved one would be better cared for in a facility, you can enlist the help of a geriatric care manager who will visit your loved one regularly and report back to you with an evaluation of their overall wellbeing. A geriatric care manager functions as your liaison and your loved one’s advocate in order to ensure that they are being properly cared for.
If this is not a desirable situation, then discuss the possibility of moving your loved one closer to your home. Discuss living arrangements. Would your love one live in your home? Or would they live in a facility near your home? If they were to live in your home, consider whether or not they may need additional care during the day while you are at work. If additional assistance is required, a social service agency can be a valuable asset to you. A social service agency can provide you with a list of resources in your area such as in-home care and adult daycare facilities. Adult daycare service providers offer meals, group activities, socialization, and day time supervision. Some daycare providers also offer nursing services and transportation services.
Once you have taken the first step of engaging your loved one in this conversation, you will be able to get a better understanding of what environment is best suited to their needs. It is important that you think through this important question together. Do not shy away from it.
As always, for more information on Alzheimer’s, or any of your other Denver elder law questions, click here to view our Wills and Trusts 101 seminar or call 303-758-0680 to get in touch with one of our Colorado elder law attorneys.
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