The Alzheimer’s Association hosts events on today, June 21st (the longest day of daylight in a year), to recognize that, for caregivers, every day is very long. There is a book, The 36-Hour Day, that discusses how caregiving is a 36-hour job, crammed into a 24-hour day.
As a spouse who placed my husband in a care facility because I could not keep up with the demands of work and care (it felt like a 72-hour day), I know the toll caregiving takes. I more than admire those who keep loved ones at home until the end; you deserve so much more praise than you get.
As part of my dementia-focused practice, I provide Care Navigation and Care Advocacy Services. My goal in providing these services is to help each family find the right solutions to the problems they face during their unique dementia journey.
The legal and practical planning needed for families facing dementia is not the same as planning for families facing normal aging. Dementia comes with many problems.
Your loved one loses their ability to take care of their money, their personal hygiene, and—at the end—they can not feed or clothe themselves. Behavioral issues like aggression and sexual acting out can cause other legal issues. Paranoia and hallucinations are common.
Legal planning that involves everyone in the family working together is critical. Families that fight end up in court. Conservatorship court is always messy and expensive; sometimes it is even corrupt and the court appointed fiduciaries and attorneys take your money. So give me a call, so I can help your family facing dementia plan for the journey.
