The first month after a diagnosis is mostly about slowing down. Very little has to be decided immediately.
Short answer
What to do in the first month, and what can wait longer than you think.
What to do, in order
- Slow down. Very little has to be decided this month.
- Get the specific diagnosis. Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, Lewy body and frontotemporal dementia progress differently and respond differently to medication.
- Do the legal work now, while capacity is clear. Power of attorney, medical power of attorney, directives.
- Call the Aging & Disability Resource Center serving your county. Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties each have their own dedicated ADRC -- see the free-help block above for phone numbers.
- Understand what memory care will require later. Wisconsin requires neither a separate certification nor a disclosure form for memory care -- ask to see the community's DHS program statement listing dementia as an admissible client group instead.
