PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

This might be the most difficult area to talk about. In this section we will talk about why it is so important to:
1. Make plans about money and finances
2. Make plans about future health care decisions.

Planning for the future is necessary because we know that as time goes on, the disease gets worse. That means your loved one will need more help with care, and will be less and less able to make decisions for him or herself. As we know, caregiving can last many years—most often 9 years. For some people with Alzheimer’s care is needed as little as 2 years or as long as 22 years depending on the person’s health. I suggest families’ work to put together a comprehensive care plan. You will also want to consider how to keep yourself healthy since you are meeting the needs of another person much of the time. Just as each person with Alzheimer’s is different, there is no one plan I can recommend.