The biggest health and social care crisis facing the UK today is dementia, with one in three people alive now expected to be diagnosed with the condition in their lifetime.
Come 2040, 1.4 million people are predicted to be living with dementia and, as such, it’s important to think about what to do after a dementia diagnosis has been given.
Naturally, this will be difficult and scary news to absorb so it’s important to take as much time as you need to adjust and allow it to sink in. By no means do you have to go through this alone, however, and there are many avenues of support to consider, including friends and family, as well as your GP and counsellors or therapists.
Going to a memory clinic might also prove to be quite useful, with these services usually provided in hospital settings, giving you the opportunity to speak to medical professionals like specialist dementia doctors, neurologists, geriatricians, psychiatrists and so on.
When you’re ready, it’s time to devise a personal action plan for your future so that your wishes will be carried out even if and when you’re unable to make clear decisions for yourself.
You may also want to consider making a will if you don’t already have one drawn up, so that you know your estate will be divided as you’d like. You will still be able to make changes to this document later down the line as long as you’re able to demonstrate that you can understand what you're doing and what the implications are.
Now is also a good time to give someone power of attorney so that you know there’s a person in charge that you can trust, managing your money, property and medical treatment if this becomes necessary later down the line.
Researching residential care homes could also be advisable now so that you have a place in mind that you’d like to go to if your needs evolve to such an extent that this becomes a requirement. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with the Cleeve Lodge team today. | 
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