Vital Documents for Seniors Receiving Dementia Home Care in Calgary
Facing a dementia diagnosis for a loved one can be daunting, but it’s important to take action urgently. Start by consulting a geriatrician for a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis so you can develop a comprehensive dementia care plan that’s tailored to the unique needs of your loved ones.
Once a formal diagnosis is received, it’s time to explore senior home care options. Opting for specialized dementia care agencies, like Umbrella Home Care, ensures your loved one receives the necessary support. These agencies provide expert care, including assistance with daily tasks, medication reminders and administration, basic housekeeping, and companionship, all within the familiar and comforting environment of your loved one’s home.
Gathering Important Documentation
After a dementia diagnosis, it’s important to ensure your loved one has the correct documentation in place to support their diagnosis and prepare for the future. The most important documents to have in order are:
- Personal directive: A personal directive gives a designated family member or close contact the ability to make decisions on behalf of your loved one in the event they’re cognitively impaired and unable to decide for themselves.
- Power of attorney: A power of attorney document is similar to the personal directive in that it comes into play should the senior be unable to make their own decisions; however, this document empowers a designated individual to make financial decisions on their behalf.
- A formal assessment and diagnosis: This document is provided by a geriatrician or another medical professional and outlines your loved one’s actual diagnosis and symptoms.
- Green sleeve: The green sleeve is a document that outlines your loved one’s end-of-life care goals, including life-saving respiratory and heart failure interventions.
- AHS care assessment: When it comes to Client Directed Home Care (CDHC) invoicing, this document is a requirement. It determines how many hours of care your loved one is eligible for and grants them access to coverage for Umbrella Home Care’s services.
- Blue Cross letter: If your loved one is covered by Blue Cross, a letter confirming coverage ensures you don’t have to pay out of pocket for covered services.
Getting Started with Senior Home Care
Once you’ve got the right documentation together, finding a reliable and trusted agency to provide senior care at home is the next step. At Umbrella Home Care, our team of caregivers provides expert dementia care for your loved one in the comfort of their own home. Dementia care is overseen by registered nurses who ensure your loved one is provided with:
- Assistance with personal care and hygiene
- Meal preparation
- Medication reminders
- Companionship and social assistance
- Light housekeeping
- Family support with respite care
If your loved one has received a dementia diagnosis and is ready for senior home care, contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our nurses and learn more about how we can help support your family.
