A dementia diagnosis brings a lot to take in at once. Planning ahead can feel like the last thing anyone has energy for, and yet it is one of the kindest things a family can do, because the earlier certain steps are taken, the more say the person has in their own future. This checklist is a calm starting point, not a race. Take it in the order that suits your family.
While capacity allows, sort the legal steps
Some things can only be done while the person still has the capacity to make the decisions themselves, so these come first:
- Set up a lasting power of attorney, ideally both types, so a trusted person can help with money and, later, with care. Our guide on the two types of LPA explains them plainly.
- Make or update a will.
- Record care and treatment wishes while the person can express them, which our guide on writing down care preferences walks through.
Doing these early is not morbid. It is what keeps the person in control of their own choices.
Plan the everyday care
- Talk about where they would prefer to be cared for, and by whom.
- Note routines, food and the things that bring comfort and calm.
- Ask the GP for a care needs assessment through the local council, and about support from the memory clinic or community teams.
- Look into support from organisations like the Alzheimer’s Society and Age UK.
Sort the money side
- Check entitlement to benefits such as Attendance Allowance, and Council Tax reductions.
- Bring pensions, accounts and bills into one clear picture, so the attorney can manage things smoothly.
- Keep a simple record of what exists and where, so nothing is missed as needs change.
Keep everyone on the same page
Dementia care is rarely one person’s job. Make sure the family, and any professional carers, can find the plan, the key documents and the contacts when they need them. A place like FamilySafe keeps all of this together and shareable, so no single person is holding it all in their head.
Download the free checklist to work through at your family’s pace.
Frequently asked questions
What should we do first after a diagnosis?
The steps that need mental capacity: a lasting power of attorney, an up-to-date will, and recording care wishes. These protect the person’s own choices and can only be done while they are able to make them.
Where can we get support?
Start with the GP and a council care needs assessment, and contact the Alzheimer’s Society and Age UK, who offer guidance, helplines and local services.
Do we need a solicitor?
Not always, but legal advice is worth it for a lasting power of attorney or a will, especially if circumstances are complex. Act while capacity allows.
Sources
- NHS: Dementia guide, and advance care planning
- Alzheimer’s Society and Age UK support services
- GOV.UK: Lasting power of attorney
