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The First 5 Things To Do After An Alzheimer's Diagnosis

No matter how well read or well traveled you are, I can almost guarantee you will be at a complete loss on what to do or where to start. The amount of information out there is overwhelming but there was no clear, simple guide that I could find.
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Rock Talk business speaker, host of The Rock Business TV series, success strategist and author. Likes wine and golf.

Rock Talk business speaker, host of The Rock Business TV series, success strategist and author. Likes wine and golf.
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Your entire world comes to an eerie halt when you hear the words, "Your (loved one here) has Alzheimer's." No matter how well read or well traveled you are, I can almost guarantee you will be at a complete loss on what to do or where to start. The amount of information out there is overwhelming but there was no clear, simple guide that I could find. I didn't have time to wade through that much when Mom was diagnosed -- I needed to know what to do NOW.

From personal experience, here are the first five things you need to do:

  1. If you have not already done so, make an appointment with a neurologist and make a plan for meds and treatment.

  • Meet with an elder care attorney and get all your legal and financial affairs in order. Make sure it is an attorney who specializes in elder care. Have them also start the process for the VA Aid & Attendance Benefit, a long, long process.

  • Social Security does not recognize a Power of Attorney. You need to take your loved one to a local office or work with the above mentioned attorney to get yourself made the point of contact for your loved one. You can also attempt to do it on the phone -- that one is a hit or miss.

  • Become a co-signer or co-owner on all financial accounts. Many banks and financial institutions will no longer recognize a Power of Attorney. And don't try to hide money. If you apply for Medicaid help later, they will research five years of financial records to determine your eligibility.

  • Talk to your loved one about future care. At some point, you will probably not be able to do this alone. In the later stages of Alzheimer's, a patient must be supervised closely 24/7.

    • After I lost Mom, I put together a list of questions every loved one should have the answers to -- for everyone -- not just in the case of an Alzheimer's diagnosis. Take these questions, fill out all the answers, and wrap it up as a holiday gift later this year. I promise it is the best gift you can give your family.

    Print The Family Talk here.

    Coming soon:
    • 5 Things To Do For A Caregiver
    • 5 Things To Do To Not Be Scared Alzheimer's Will Happen To You

    Dayna Steele is the author of Surviving Alzheimer's with Friends, Facebook, and A Really Big Glass of Wine and she is the Chief Caring Expert for Caring.com - senior living reviews, resources and free support groups. Dayna tells success stories based on lessons she learned working with the world's greatest rock stars. She writes books including the 101 Ways to Rock Your World book series.

    Earlier on Huff/Post50:

    Alzheimer's Prevention Recipes
    The Alzheimer's Prevention Cookbook(01 of07)
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    The Alzheimer's Prevention Cookbook by Dr. Marwan Sabbagh and Beau MacMillan. Published by Ten Speed Press. (The following slides were reprinted with permission from The Alzheimer’s Prevention Cookbook: Recipes to Boost Brain Health by Dr. Marwan Sabbagh and Beau MacMillan, copyright © 2012. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group) (credit:Photo credit: Caren Alpert)
    Sweet Peach Smoothie(02 of07)
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    The key to this recipe is using a ripe, in-season peach. It’s always good to get to know the produce guys at your local grocery store because they will let you know when peaches are in their prime. Peaches contain numerous nutrients that are good for your body, including niacin, thiamin, potassium, and calcium. They are also high in beta-carotene, which promotes healthy hearts and eyes. The darker the peach’s color, the more vitamin A it has in its pulp. Peaches may also help in maintaining healthy urinary and digestive functions. There’s some evidence that flaxseed oil may help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and even diabetes. (credit:Photo credit: Caren Alpert)
    Breakfast Fried Rice with Scrambled Eggs(03 of07)
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    Think outside the (cereal) box: fried rice is a great way to fuel up with carbs in the morning. With brown rice, lots of fresh vegetables, and a minimal amount of fat, this recipe is a healthy take on fried rice and is high in vitamin B6. Lop chong is a dried, cooked Chinese sausage with a slightly sweet and smoky flavor; it will require a trip to the Asian grocery store, but you can choose to leave it out. (credit:Photo credit: Caren Alpert)
    Ahi Tuna on Rye with Spinach Pesto Yogurt(04 of07)
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    This is not your average tuna sandwich. For one thing, it’s more like tuna tartare on bread. For another, it’s a very brain-healthy meal. Spinach Pesto Yogurt, not mayonnaise, holds the tuna mixture together, which keeps the amount of saturated fat to a minimum. Tuna is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, the pistachios provide vitamin E, and the raisins are a good source of polyphenol antioxidants. Because the tuna is not cooked in this recipe, be sure to purchase sashimi-grade tuna; ask the fishmonger if you aren’t sure about the quality of the tuna on offer at the seafood counter. (credit:Photo credit: Caren Alpert)
    Striped Bass with Golden Tomato and Sweet Pepper Stew(05 of07)
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    (credit:Photo credit: Caren Alpert)
    Spaghetti Squash with Caramelized Onion and Tomato(06 of07)
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    Spaghetti squash is an often-overlooked vegetable. But it’s a very powerful ingredient from a brain-health perspective: it’s low in saturated fat, very low in cholesterol, and a good source of niacin, vitamin B6, and pantothenic acid--plus spaghetti squash is a very good source of vitamin C. In this recipe, strands of baked spaghetti squash are the backdrop for sweet caramelized onions that contrast against salty, savory Parmesan cheese. This dish will appeal to adults and kids alike, and it’s a great way to get pasta lovers to eat more vegetables. (credit:Photo credit: Caren Alpert)
    Curried Quinoa with Green Onions and Basil(07 of07)
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    (credit:Photo credit: Caren Alpert)

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