Dementia, or the impaired ability to remember, think or make decisions is becoming common among older people. Although it is not a normal part of aging, we are seeing it with increasing frequency. According to the CDC, of those at least 65 years of age, there was an estimated 5.0 million adults with dementia in 2014 and number is projected to be nearly 14 million by 2060.
It is imperative that we all start thinking about what kind of care we want later in life. Planning now avoids unnecessary heartache for our loved ones, as well as our own suffering, if our wishes aren’t followed. Complicating matters, the impact of dementia can be very different at each stage.
Stage 1 – Mild Dementia
- You lose the ability to remember recent events
- You find routine tasks such as cooking more difficult
- Other activities such as driving may become more dangerous
Stage 2 – Moderate Dementia
- You lose the ability to have conversations and communicating becomes very hard
- You lose the ability to understand what’s happening around you
- You require daily full-time assistance with dressing and going to the bathroom
Stage 3 – Severe Dementia
- You are no longer able to recognize friends and family
- You may be calm most of the time but may become angry and even violent at times
- You need round-the clock help with daily activities including bathing and help with other basic bodily functions.
Different aims of care
Equally, the level of medical care you desire can be very different and you might want a different level at different stages of the disease. These are the aims of the different kinds of care you can request:
- To live as long as possible, through any means possible
- I want my medical care to try to keep me alive as long as possible, including by restarting my heart if it stops
- To receive treatment to prolong my life but NOT to have my heart restarted (DNR) and NOT be placed on a breathing machine
- I am happy to go into hospital or an emergency room as needed
- I do not want to receive shocks to restart my heart
- If my heart stops or I cannot breathe on my own, I want to die peacefully
- To only receive care at home – I would not want to go into hospital or an emergency room in any circumstances
- I want to remain in the place where I am living above all
- I do not want to be resuscitated (DNR)
- I want antibiotics and other treatments IF they were able to be administered in my home
- I want to be allowed to die peacefully
- To only receive comfort-focused care, rather than medical care focused on keeping me alive longer
- I only want care that will relieve suffering
- I do not want care that will keep me alive any longer
We have developed a simple checklist for you to choose what kind of care you would want at each stage of dementia. You can download and sign the form below.
If you would like to ask any questions about planning for dementia, get in touch – info@rockymtnelderlaw.com or call us on (720) 457 4573.
