The first month after a diagnosis is mostly about slowing down. Very little has to be decided immediately, and some of what feels urgent is better decided in three months.
Short answer
What to do in the first month, and what can wait longer than you think.
What to do, in order
- Slow down. Very little has to be decided this month. Families who make housing decisions in the first weeks frequently make them twice.
- Get the specific diagnosis. Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, Lewy body and frontotemporal dementia progress differently and respond differently to medication. Lewy body in particular carries serious sensitivity to certain antipsychotics, which matters enormously for care planning.
- Do the legal work now, while capacity is clear. Power of attorney, medical power of attorney, directives. This window closes, and closing it turns straightforward decisions into court proceedings.
- Call AGE of Central Texas. 512-451-4611. The free early-stage memory loss program and CaregiverU courses exist precisely for this month, and most Austin families never hear about them.
- Understand what memory care will require later. In Texas it means an Alzheimer's certification on a Type B licence. Knowing that now saves you touring places that cannot legally take your parent later.