Slow down -- very little needs to be decided immediately. Get the specific diagnosis clarified (Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, Lewy body and frontotemporal dementia all progress and respond to treatment differently), and complete legal paperwork like power of attorney while capacity is still clear.
How families here handle this
The urge after a diagnosis is often to jump straight to researching memory care facilities, but that's usually premature in the first weeks. What actually matters more immediately is the legal groundwork -- medical power of attorney, financial power of attorney and advance directives -- because waiting until capacity is genuinely in question makes this process harder or impossible. The Alzheimer's Association's North Central Texas Chapter helpline (800-272-3900) is available 24/7 specifically for families navigating a fresh diagnosis, and the Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County can walk you through what Texas requires if memory care eventually becomes necessary, including the state's disclosure-statement requirement rather than a separate certification.
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