After the Dementia Diagnosis: What Now?

Feb 26 2013 in Your Caregiving Journey by Denise

This morning on Your Caregiving Journey, Claire Day, our dementia care expert, joined me to discuss what you can do after a family member receives a diagnosis of dementia. You can listen to our show via the player, below.

Claire and I spoke about what it’s like after your caree receives a diagnosis and shared some ideas on how to move forward. I offered a suggestion about the questions that you and your caree may have about an early stage diagnosis. Take time to sit separately to write out questions you have. Then, meet to share the questions you have and talk about who could have answers. For example, you may have questions about how to manage your caree’s decline; your caree’s physician may be able to offer answers. Your caree may worry about the future; the Alzheimer’s Association may be able to connect your caree with another individual with an early stage diagnosis.

Claire spoke about the power of information, including simply knowing where to get information. When you’re well informed, you can feel like you have some control in a situation that feels out-of-control.

What suggestions would you offer to family caregivers during that first week after a diagnosis? Please share in our comments section, below.

Resources

–New Push for Early Testing, Treatment for Dementia (I mention this article from The Wall Street Journal during our show.)

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