Section 7: Making Contingency Plans

Even as you are thinking about the best site of care for your loved one, you need to put some contingency plans in place. These plans should cover if something unexpected happens to you and you are unable to take care of your loved one. This set of plans should include:

• Having your own POA to be able to access your financial accounts. If your loved one with dementia is currently your POA, you may need to choose a different person who will be able to handle your affairs.
• Ensuring your POA knows where you keep your financial statements and other important documents, including the documents for your loved one.
• Identifying who will take care of your loved one and ensuring that person knows of this role.
• Consider preparing for the need to move your loved one to a senior living community. Take some time to get to know what the options are. Many SNFs will allow you to complete applications ahead of time and will put your loved one’s name on a waiting list. When their name comes to the top of the list, you can either accept or defer a place for them there. Thinking about these issues now may leave you with more choices later.

You have made it to the end! You’ve taken an important step in thinking about different sites of care. You may be feeling a lot of emotions right now. That is to be expected, and you should take satisfaction knowing that you have tackled some difficult topics. You can move forward and explore options at your own pace.

Remember, you are not alone in this.