Daughter of Alzheimer's parent

Inspiration My mother as she went thru experience

How it works It's impossible to predict how you will react. Phases of grief move back and forth

Challenges I ran into - The healthcare SYSTEM. I've been in healthcare for over 35+years and I found it challenging, combative and at times uncaring. We did have some wonderful healthcare folks support us, but the assisted living and the hospital were NOT optimal.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of My father created end of life plans (5 wishes) and with help from family, a dementia specialist and providers we followed his 'game plan' to the letter. And I was with him - and all the lovely people who supported us- the day of is death and when he died.

http://www.agingwithdignity.org/forms/5wishes.pdf

What I learned It's a marathon not a race. It is a long goodbye, BUT it is a long grief that leads up to the actual death. All caregivers need emotional support, some financial b/c Medicare does NOT pay for long term care. They need to know how to navigate the healthcare system and they need IMMEDIATE, TIMELY advice for action.

What's next for Daughter of Alzheimer's family member - Passing along the learning, volunteering my professional time to agencies/organizations to support Alzheimer's and doing pro bono consulting for healthcare facilities who wish to improve care.

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