Caring for a parent with dementia can feel challenging as memory loss progresses and daily needs change, but there are ways to support your loved one while protecting your own well-being. The most effective approach begins with early planning, coordinated care, and a safe, structured environment. You can also lean on community programs, dementia care resources, and legal tools to help you manage finances and healthcare decisions as the condition progresses.
What Families Should Do First After a Dementia Diagnosis
Early legal and financial planning often makes the caregiving journey far more manageable. When your parent is still able to participate in decision-making, we can help you prepare the documents that allow you to step in when needed. These documents give you the authority to manage bills, access medical information, and make important decisions if your parent becomes unable to do so.
Helpful documents include:
- Last Will and Testament to record wishes and name beneficiaries
- Durable Power of Attorney to allow a trusted person to handle financial and legal matters
- Health Care Proxy to designate a healthcare decision-maker
- HIPAA Release to ensure medical providers can share information with you
- Advance Directive to guide care and treatment preferences
Completing these documents early keeps your family out of crisis mode. It allows you to follow your parent’s wishes with confidence and reduces uncertainty during difficult moments.
How MassHealth Planning Supports Long-Term Care Needs
Long-term care planning is a key part of supporting someone with dementia. The cost of nursing care or home-based support can be significant, and many families rely on MassHealth to help with these expenses. We can review your parent’s financial picture, discuss eligibility, and outline options that protect what they have while preparing for future care.
Two programs often play a major role:
- MassHealth Long-Term Care Coverage, which may pay for a nursing facility when financial limits are met or when planning is completed in advance
- Frail Elder Waiver (FEW), which can provide in-home care for those who qualify
Both involve specific rules related to income, assets, and age. We will guide you through the process so your parent receives the care they need in the setting that works best for your family.
What Daily Caregiving Often Looks Like
Many families choose to care for an elderly parent at home, and doing so can be rewarding, although it is a major commitment. Dementia affects memory, reasoning, mobility, and behavior, which means caregivers often take on a wide range of tasks, such as:
- Meal preparation and feeding support
- Bathing, dressing, and toileting
- Medication reminders and organization
- Transportation to appointments
- Laundry and housekeeping
- Social interaction and companionship
As dementia progresses, it is common for two or more people to share these duties to prevent burnout. Round-the-clock care may eventually be required, and having a team or schedule in place helps you maintain your own health while supporting your parent.
How Caregivers Can Find Support and Resources
You do not have to manage dementia care alone. Support programs can help you balance responsibilities, reduce stress, and learn practical caregiving skills. Many families benefit from:
- Local elder services agencies
- Memory-care education programs
- Caregiver support groups
- Adult day health or social day programs
- Community organizations such as AARP or the Alzheimer’s Association
Your local library, senior center, and community health agencies are also excellent places to find free and low-cost resources. Reaching out early gives you a foundation of support before day-to-day needs increase.
Practical Tips to Create a Safe and Comforting Home Environment
A predictable environment helps reduce confusion and tension for someone living with dementia. You can strengthen routines and safety by:
- Establishing consistent times for meals, bathing, medications, and activities
- Removing loose throw rugs and tripping hazards
- Adding grab bars or a seat in the shower
- Keeping the home well-lit
- Choosing calm, familiar activities such as reading, music, or short walks
- Speaking gently and avoiding sudden changes that may startle your parent
Familiar objects, photographs, and simple routines often provide reassurance. Patience is important, but so is recognizing your own limits and asking for help when needed.
Supporting Your Parent While Caring for Yourself
Dementia care is never something you need to manage on your own. At Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C., we will help you prepare for your parent’s long-term needs, protect their assets, access benefits, and understand the legal tools that make caregiving easier. If your family is planning ahead or already caring for a parent with dementia, reach out to us today so we can guide you through your options.
