1. CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS-Formal Cognitive Assessment, Neuropsychological Evaluation, Personal & Social History
2. MEET-INCLUDE LOVED ONE ***CONSIDER INCLUDING YOUR LOVED ONE IN #’S 3-10
3. SHARING THE INFORMATION-WHO IS TO KNOW
4. DEVELOP AN INITIAL PLAN: IF & HOW TO SHARE INFORMATION; CARE FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS; SYMPTOM ASSESSMENT; MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING ANY GENERAL CHANGES TO BE MADE…Assessment for Level of Functionality: Level of Independence & Care Required (Safety)
5. BE VERY CLEAR: THIS IS A TIME TO LIVE LIFE NOT MAKE PLANS TO END LIFE
6. SELECT A ‘POINT’ PERSON TO GATHER INFORMATION AND WORK WITH ALL OTHERS (PROFESSIONALS & SIGNIFICANT OTHERS)
7. GATHER NAMES & RESEARCH THE PROFESSIONALS WHO WILL ASSIST THROUGH THE COURSE OF THE DISEASE (Financial Planning, Medical Assistance, Legal Planning, Family Counseling, Palliative Care Counseling, Advanced Care Planning)
8. IF APPROPRIATE, SET UP INITIAL APPOINTMENTS WITH PROFESSIONALS
9. IF YOUR LOVED ONE IS ABLE TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD; ARE THERE CHANGES REQUIRED?
10. IF YOUR LOVED ONE IS TO LIVE WITH FAMILY; WHAT PROVISIONS/ADJUSTMENTS ARE TO BE MADE (Children/adolescents, home logistics….)?
11. IF YOUR LOVED ONE HAS TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF CARE; HAVE YOU THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED THE OPTIONS?

SEVEN LONG-DISTANCE CAREGIVING STRESS BUSTERS (The John Hopkins Bulletins Fall 2014)

1. CANCEL YOUR GUILT TRIP
2. LEARN ALL THAT YOU CAN ABOUT DEMENTIA
3. BE SYSTEMATIC
4. THINK SAFETY
5. ENLIST OUTSIDE HELP
6. REACT PROMPTLY TO SIGNS OF CONGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL TROUBLE
7. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

From the desk of:

Dr. Mitchell L. Gelber
Licensed Psychologist
Telephone: 928-777-0919
Website: drmitchellgelber.com