My name is Audra and I have spent the past 7 year caring for a father-in-law with Alzheimer"s. I am also a nurse who has started her own nurse consulting company to fill some of the gaps in resources for patients with Alzheimer"s and dementia. I have found over my 15 years of nursing and caring for family the number one thing you can do for you ailing family member is having a plan layed out for the future. As one of the few longterm terminal illnesses, Alzheimer's and dementia brings years of declining health and the ability to care for oneself and the ability to reason. For this reason it is so important to know where you are planning to go with your families care as things decline. It is a very emotional disease and is hard to make snap judjements when you have not discussed the possiblities.
I have also found it very important to have an advocate in the medical field. With my father-in-law I found doctor's and dentist wanting to schedule routine procedures that are not so routine for those with Alzheimer" and dementia. It is important to know your physicians care for you and your family as it has always been done. To do all you can to keep you alive. As Alzheimer"s has increased in numbers it is important to change the view of medicine. Human beings with such disorders need the respect of learning how to keep them comfortable and safe in their surroundings, not always ordering lots of test or giving lots of medicines. If you already have a plan of care in place for your family it is much easier to understand your options and which direction you want your physicians to take. These very well trained doctors work for you and you have a right to have a choice in you and your families care.
I would be happy to answer any questions or comments on how to plan ahead.
Thanks for letting me share