Daytona Beach Senior AdvisorWhat should be done first after a dementia diagnosis?
Get the legal documents in place while your parent can still sign them (a durable power of attorney, a health care surrogate designation and a living will), review finances for exploitation risk, and ask the doctor about medications, driving and a follow-up plan.
In Florida a durable power of attorney must be signed with two witnesses and a notary. An elder law attorney can prepare all three documents in one visit; Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida helps eligible older adults for free.
How do we keep a parent with dementia safe at home?
Address the biggest risks first: driving, wandering, the stove, firearms, medications and scams, then add supervision as needed through family, paid caregivers or an adult day program.
There are 5 licensed adult day care centers in the two counties: David I. Siegel Adult Day Care Center in Palm Coast, Alba Court Adult Day Care Center in New Smyrna Beach, Beacon of Life Florida LLC D/B/A Boldage PACE in Holly Hill, Sender Retreat in DeLand, Stay for A Day Adult Day Care in Orange City. Adult day programs give the person structure and the caregiver a break, and they are often the first service families add.
When is memory care needed?
When the person wanders or tries to leave, is up and agitated at night, needs cueing for most daily tasks, or the caregiver can no longer keep them safe; a secured memory care setting with dementia-trained staff then becomes the safer option.
In the two counties, 42 of the 105 licensed ALFs report a memory care program to AHCA. Their combined license capacity is 3,072 residents, a ceiling for the whole building rather than a count of secured memory care beds.
What do Florida's memory care rules require today?
Facilities that advertise Alzheimer's care must meet s. 429.178 (staff awake at all hours at 17 or more residents, activities designed for dementia, a safe physical environment and dementia training), and once AHCA's rules take effect a separate memory care services license will be required under s. 429.076.
Ask every memory care community whether it plans to apply for the new license. One that does not could stop admitting memory care residents within a year or two of the rules taking effect.
Where can caregivers get support?
ElderSource (1-888-242-4464) connects caregivers with respite, caregiver training and support programs funded under the Older Americans Act and Florida's Alzheimer's Disease Initiative, and local memory disorder clinics provide diagnosis and caregiver education.
The Alzheimer's Association's 24-hour helpline (1-800-272-3900) is another resource for caregivers at any hour.
At a glance
| Early planning means | Waiting means | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal | Documents signed while your parent can decide | A court guardianship later |
| Care | Choosing a setting before a crisis | Taking whatever bed is open after a hospital stay |
| Money | Time to plan Medicaid and VA benefits | Spending down under pressure |
Sources: Chapters 408, 429 and 651, Florida Statutes; Florida Administrative Code chapters 59A-36 and 65A-2; publications of AHCA, DCF, OIR and the Department of Elder Affairs; and the CareScout and VA tables named on the page. See our editorial standards for how figures are checked.
