After an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, it is important to start thinking about and documenting your health care wishes. It’s best to have these conversations between you, your family and caregivers, and your medical team early in the disease progression while you can still understand the issues and make your wishes known.
You may want to create documents like:
- A living will, which records your wishes for medical treatment near the end of life.
- A durable power of attorney for health care, which designates a person to make health care decisions when you are unable to.
- A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order, which instructs health care professionals not to perform CPR if your heart stops. Make sure a copy is included in your medical chart.
Learn more about health care, legal, and financial planning for people with Alzheimer’s disease on our website.
