Based on MOCA tests, an MRI, and a PetScan, which showed that my hippocampus has shrunk significantly, as well as other factors, I have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Aside from the recent tests, I have felt sure that this disease had been slowly gaining ground for quite a long time. However, I believe I am still considered in the "early stages". I am 72 and single, with very few family members, but several close friends, and I have always been very independent. At this point I am trying to plan for my own future care, which is quite a challenge due to the numerous variables involved. I have started touring assisted living and memory care "communities", and would love to also be able to chat with other people recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's who are encountering challenges similar to mine. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Cheryl
My situation was related to my mom. I reached out to a state ombudsman who was very helpful in my situation and found an elder lawyer that helped me move through every decision that I needed to make while my mom was in good shape and able to provide guidance.
Many on this forum will say that if you have seen one person with dementia
that you have seen one person. Each experience is unique. Perhaps a ALF would be a good start. It is an environment you could enjoy, meet new friends and have care as your needs change.
Please continue to post on this forum so others can help and share in your journey. Prayers and hugs to you!
This person will gather your info, pay your bills, do your taxes, find care placement when you need it if you have not done already. In other words, they work as your "little sister"--someone my brother had at his diagnosis of "probable early Lewy's Dementia" but you do not.
My brother was able to make me the Trustee of Trust and POA for him. You have no one to do that work and need to "hire one on" before it is too late, you need to be certain all your paperwork is done, find yourself placement in ALF (something he and I did together).
I would also go to Facebook and join sites for dementia. There are MANY and some run by those diagnosed, such as yourself. I would go to Alz.org and read all you can find on this site. You can look up California Professional Fiduciary Assn of California at 866 886 7322 or www.pfac-pro.org and ask for referral to numbers in your own state. Look up ways to hire on bill managers at secure.aadmm.com/find-a-dmm to try to find a Certified Daily Money Manager. You can look for personal financial specialists (PFS) at National Assn of Personal Financial Advisors at napfa.org/find-an-advisor. Ask you best friends to help you now in organizing a "death book" about your wishes, about where things are, about everything anyone needs to know to help you. You sound in very good shape now, so now, today, is the time to start. See an Elder Law Attorney first.
I encourage you to become a part of "community". I don't care if this is faith based or senior center or "The Village" model, or what. If you, like me, are an atheist, consider it an exploration. There you will find people interested in community, something nearly lost in our times now.
We are ALL feeling ALONE. I encourage you to gather around you all the friends and people you can-- because you will need them. You are so correct; numerous variables abound for you now, and cannot be well predicted. Speak with your MD so that you can get guidance; he may suggest you meet with a social worker now.
I am so sorry. I wish you the best of luck. I am 82, and my partner 84. I understand your worries and empathize profoundly.
Since you are single and with very few family members it will be extremely important to work out the PoA assignment. IMO "friends" would not be appropriate for this task if they are the same age as you, and probably also they will eventually have their own family members to manage. So, I would concentrate on figuring out this piece of your care: someone needs to be local, willing, competent, trustworthy, and younger. In the absence of this, you may need to hire a law firm for this, create a trust, assign trustees, or have a pre-need guardian document created. Don't wait to do this: you need to be as cognitively competent as possible for this process.
I wish you clarity, wisdom and peace in your heart on this journey.
Mayo clinic has an online forum that has a section for people who are experiencing the same issue as well.
Sending support your way!!