Planning for the future There is a running theme through this Guide around the importance of planning when someone has dementia or receives a dementia diagnosis and, wherever possible, to plan early.
Most people will automatically consider planning for legal and financial considerations – wills, financial affairs, powers of attorney (see page 59). However, just as important is considering the person with dementia’s life history, who they are and what makes them the person they are. This could involve putting together scrapbooks of photographs and stories, anecdotes, details of childhood and adult friends, favourite pets, enjoyable games and hobbies – this information will become invaluable as the dementia symptoms progress.
My husband has chosen a nursing home, so that will negate any guilt on my part if the time comes for placement. Or if I become incapacitated.
Whether the person with dementia is a partner, parent, sibling or close friend, whatever your relationship, you are unlikely to know everything about their life. Alzheimer’s Society recommends that people make a life history book, however, it doesn’t have to be a book, it could be a memory box, photo album, digital presentation or video – the choice of format is entirely up to you and your loved one.
www.carechoices.co.uk/dementia
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