Diagnosis, money and legal steps for a parent with dementia
The paperwork side of dementia is the part most families put off, and the part that costs the most when it's left too late.
Three things matter more than anything else here. A diagnosis, because it opens the door to treatment for things that look like dementia but aren't, and to every kind of help later. A power of attorney for money and for health care, signed while she can still understand what she's signing. And a rough money plan, because Medicare doesn't pay for long-term care and most families find that out at the worst moment.
These guides walk through each step in plain words. They're general and US-focused. Rules on Medicaid, powers of attorney and guardianship differ by state, so each guide tells you when it's time to talk to an elder-law attorney.
- Parent with dementia refuses to go to the doctor: what to doWhen a parent with dementia refuses the doctor: why she can't see it, how to get her there, the letter to send, and power of attorney before it's too late.
- Stages of dementia: what to expect and what to plan forEarly, middle and late stage dementia: what each looks like day to day, what to put in place at each stage, and what's known about how long they last.
- How to pay for memory care: Medicare, Medicaid, VA and insuranceMedicare doesn't pay for memory care. Here's how families pay: her savings, Medicaid waivers, VA Aid and Attendance, insurance, the house, and who to call.
