Things to do before dementia diagnosis?

[warp9]

Hi. For the last couple of years my father has been exhibiting signs of the onset of early dementia, which has gradually worsened. He has been referred by his GP to the dementia unit for examination and test which we have been notified will be within 8 to 12 weeks.

Is there anything to do or prepare for prior to this, assuming the diagnosis is positive? I'm thinking that we make sure his will, power of attorney, discussion with my father about his potential care and his financial matters are discussed and agreed.

Is there anything else to consider?

Thanks in advance.

[anonymous-user]

Power of attorney if he'll let you.

Too late once they decide he isn't capable of making the decision.

I also got my parents to advise all their banks and utility suppliers that I could speak on their behalf on general businesd

[RDMcG]

Not sure about UK but power of attorney does not necessarily extinguish his right to write a cheque for instance and helpful to have online access to bank accounts and credit cards.
Older people with web access are sadly vulnerable to all sorts of scams.
Suggest you read up about the stages of Alzheimer’s in advance and know how to plan ahead for managed care.
Some people develop symptoms more slowly than others and it’s impossible to predict.

[WinstonWolf]

warp9 said:

Hi. For the last couple of years my father has been exhibiting signs of the onset of early dementia, which has gradually worsened. He has been referred by his GP to the dementia unit for examination and test which we have been notified will be within 8 to 12 weeks.

Is there anything to do or prepare for prior to this, assuming the diagnosis is positive? I'm thinking that we make sure his will, power of attorney, discussion with my father about his potential care and his financial matters are discussed and agreed.

Is there anything else to consider?

Thanks in advance.

You'll definitely need both types of power of attorney in place if he's still judged sufficiently compos mentis to grant it. As you say he should also make sure his will is up to date as once the disease reaches a certain stage he won't be able to make changes to it.

Some difficult conversations ahead

[Sk00p]

Father and mother still together and if so do they share a bank account?

If so and they have any significant savings it wouldn't do any harm to move it into an account in your mothers name..

Lots of dementia care is means tested but only against your father's assets. The house value assuming they own one is also not considered if your mother/primary carer lives there.

Went through all this 10 years or so ago with my father who was mid sixties and on the same road again with my father in-law although is is a fair bit older.

Good luck, the road ahead will be tough but getting finances and the things you already mention in order will help loads in the future.

[warp9]

Thanks for the responses.

My father was divorced by his 3rd wife last year (they had a very dysfunctional relationship and I think she could see what was coming), so there is no live in carer, there is only myself and my brother as dependants. He also lives in a large house with a lot of land in the middle of nowhere, so have concerns about his ability to look after himself and safety as he's accident prone.

Like many men of this age he's very proud and really doesn't want to move somewhere smaller and closer to me.

I'll start a conversation about his will and power of attorney and see how that goes.