Dementia advance care & estate planning to guard your legacy

Question 1

What is dementia planning, and why should it start immediately after a diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Dementia planning is the proactive process of making legal, financial, medical, and care decisions while the person with dementia still has the mental capacity to participate. It must start immediately to protect their autonomy, ensure their wishes are honored, prevent future family conflict, and secure the resources and care structure needed for the progressive challenges ahead.

Question 2

What specific legal documents are absolutely essential for someone with dementia?

Accepted Answer

The essential documents are: 1) Durable Financial Power of Attorney (POA), 2) Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney (HCPA) & Advance Directive (Living Will), 3) HIPAA Authorization, and 4) an updated Will. These must be "durable" to remain valid after incapacity. If capacity is in question, a capacity assessment by a doctor concurrent with signing may be necessary.

Question 3

How do we assess when a person with dementia can no longer live alone, and what are the care options?

Accepted Answer

Assess safety by looking for signs like wandering, leaving the stove on, poor hygiene, malnutrition, missed medications, getting lost, or social isolation. A professional geriatric assessment can provide objectivity. Options progress from in-home care (aides, adult day care) to memory care assisted living, and finally to skilled nursing facilities, depending on the stage and behavioral needs.

Question 4

How can we manage difficult dementia behaviors like aggression, wandering, or sundowning?

Accepted Answer

Manage behaviors by first ensuring unmet needs (pain, hunger, thirst, infection) are addressed. Then, use non-pharmacological strategies: maintain a calm routine, simplify the environment, redirect attention, use reassuring communication, avoid confrontation, and adapt activities to their abilities. Document triggers and successful interventions to share with all caregivers. Medication should be a last resort, supervised by a geriatric psychiatrist.

Question 5

Dementia Carer Guide: Stages, Burnout Prevention & Support

Accepted Answer

Dementia care consuming you? Master the 3 stages and proven burnout prevention strategies that save your sanity while honouring your loved one fully.

Question 6

What should be included in a dementia-specific advance care plan?

Accepted Answer

A dementia-specific advance care plan must go beyond standard forms to address the unique trajectory of the disease. It should include: 1) A values statement defining "quality of life," 2) Specific preferences for treatments common in late-stage dementia (antibiotics for pneumonia, tube feeding, hospitalization), 3) Preferences for comfort-focused care versus life-prolonging measures, and 4) Guidance on the use of restraints or sedation for behavioral symptoms.

Question 7

How can Evaheld help families navigating dementia planning and care?

Accepted Answer

Evaheld provides a secure, centralized platform for dementia-specific planning and family collaboration. It helps document critical legal and care information, store and share important documents, facilitate family communication to reduce conflict, and, most importantly, capture and preserve the life stories, voice, and essence of the person with dementia before memories fade, creating a lasting legacy for the family.

Your identity, your care — together.Life Story, Care Wishes and Lasting Legacy — One Digital Vault

Preserve who you are, document your care wishes, and keep your legacy together for those who will care for you — guided by Charli, your AI Legacy Companion.

A Dementia Plan That Protects Your Identity and Wishes

Ensure your voice guides your care and your story lives on for those who love you.

My Dementia Plan That Protects Who I Am

Simple Steps to Plan for Dementia With Dignity

Preserve Your Story

Document Your Preferences

Share With Those Who Care for You

Our Partners

Frequently Asked Questions
About Dementia Planning with Evaheld

What is dementia planning, and why should it start immediately after a diagnosis?

What specific legal documents are absolutely essential for someone with dementia?

How do we assess when a person with dementia can no longer live alone, and what are the care options?

How can we manage difficult dementia behaviors like aggression, wandering, or sundowning?

Dementia Carer Guide: Stages, Burnout Prevention & Support

Your identity, your care — together.Life Story, Care Wishes and Lasting Legacy — One Digital Vault

Preserve who you are, document your care wishes, and keep your legacy together for those who will care for you — guided by Charli, your AI Legacy Companion.

A Dementia Plan That Protects Your Identity and Wishes

Ensure your voice guides your care and your story lives on for those who love you.

My Dementia Plan That Protects Who I Am

Simple Steps to Plan for Dementia With Dignity

Preserve Your Story

Document Your Preferences

Share With Those Who Care for You

Our Partners

Frequently Asked Questions About Dementia Planning with Evaheld

What is dementia planning, and why should it start immediately after a diagnosis?

What specific legal documents are absolutely essential for someone with dementia?

How do we assess when a person with dementia can no longer live alone, and what are the care options?

How can we manage difficult dementia behaviors like aggression, wandering, or sundowning?

Dementia Carer Guide: Stages, Burnout Prevention & Support

Frequently Asked Questions
About Dementia Planning with Evaheld