Long – Term Care Planning
When someone is diagnosed with dementia, planning for the future can feel overwhelming. It’s important to create a long-term care plan so the person with dementia can be involved in decisions about their healthcare, finances, and legal matters. This way, their wishes can be respected as the disease changes. Building a care team made up of family, friends, and professionals in healthcare, law, and finance can make this process easier. Just like every person experiences dementia differently, each long-term care plan should be tailored to fit the individual’s needs.
Additional Information
Legal Resources for the Elderly
“The Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (LREP) is a free, statewide helpline for New Mexico residents age 55 and older. The program does not have any income restrictions. LREP is a joint project of the New Mexico State Bar Foundation and the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department and has been in existence for over 30 years.”
Senior Citizens Law Office, Inc. – Home
“The mission of SCLO is to provide critically needed advocacy and legal representation to residents of Central New Mexico aged 60 years and older in order to uphold their rights, maximize their autonomy and ensure that they receive the benefits to which they are entitled.”
Terms to Understand
Legal Capacity
A person’s ability to understand the potential outcomes of their actions and make a rational decision
Living Will
A document that states your health care wishes should you no longer be able to make those decisions. This includes life- support
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
Informs medical staff that they are not to perform CPR
Durable Power of Attorney (DOA)
Allows you to choose someone to make financial, legal and healthcare decisions on your behalf even when you can no longer do so.
https://hsc.unm.edu/medicine/departments/pediatrics/divisions/continuum-of-care/pdf/nmpoa.pdf
Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA)
Allows you to choose someone to make your health care decisions when you can no longer do so.
https://www.bcbsnm.com/docs/forms/legal/nm/healthcare-poa-form-nm.pdf
New Mexico Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (NM MOST)
Transfer of Death Deed (TODD)
In New Mexico, an owner of real property (house or land) can transfer that property, effective once they have died, to another person (s), through the TODD. The property then does not need to go through probate (legal process of settling a deceased person’s estate; it can take weeks to years, depending on how complex the state is).
https://eforms.com/download/2023/12/New-Mexico-Transfer-on-Death-Deed.pdf
Emergency Care Plan
Having a plan and an emergency kit ready can help reduce stress for both the person with dementia and their caregiver during tough times. An emergency can be anything that stops the main caregiver from giving care or a situation that puts the health and safety of either the caregiver or the person they care for at risk. This could include things like natural disasters, caregiver burnout, health issues, or even family problems. As the needs of the person being cared for change, it’s important to update the plan. Making changes ahead of time is much easier than trying to figure things out during a crisis when everyone is feeling stressed. Sudden changes can be especially hard for the person with dementia, as changes in routine can be upsetting.
When building an emergency/disaster kit, it is good practice to have enough items to last individuals and their pets, two weeks. Keep it in airtight container. Clink on the link below on how to build an emergency kit for people living with dementia.
Disaster Planning Toolkit for People Living with Dementia
In addition, it is good planning to keep a small emergency go bag in the car with adult briefs, wipes, extra change of clothes and shoes, water and nonperishable snacks, comfort items and whatever else makes sense to keep the care recipient comfortable for when you are away from home.
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