Free senior care guidance for Fort Worth metro families. No cost to you, ever.
Call (682) 432-9929
Fort Worth Senior Advisor

We just got a dementia diagnosis

What to do in the first month, and what can wait longer than you think.

Quick answer

What to do in the first month, and what can wait longer than you think.

Get matched freeCall (682) 432-9929
Home›By Situation›We just got a dementia diagnosis

The first month after a diagnosis is mostly about slowing down. Very little has to be decided immediately.

Short answer

What to do in the first month, and what can wait longer than you think.

What to do, in order

  1. Slow down. Very little has to be decided this month.
  2. Get the specific diagnosis. Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, Lewy body and frontotemporal dementia progress differently and respond differently to medication.
  3. Do the legal work now, while capacity is clear. Power of attorney, medical power of attorney, directives.
  4. Call the Area Agency on Aging serving your county. Tarrant County: 817-258-8000. Parker, Johnson, Denton and Wise counties: NCTCOG at 800-272-3921.
  5. Understand what memory care will require later. Texas requires a filed Alzheimer's/dementia disclosure statement, not a separate certification -- ask to see it by name when the time comes.

Questions families ask

How do I know it's time to look at assisted living instead of keeping Mom or Dad at home in Fort Worth?

This is rarely one dramatic moment -- it's usually an accumulation of smaller signs that becomes undeniable, often noticed by one family member well before others. Separate what's genuinely unsafe (missed medications, a fall nobody witnessed, a stove left on) from what's simply untidy or inconvenient.

What should I do after my parent has a fall in the Fort Worth area?

Treat a fall as a signal rather than an isolated accident -- a first fall is one of the strongest predictors of a second one. Get the cause properly investigated by a physician (medication, blood pressure, vision, inner-ear issues are all common culprits), and fix the immediate environment while you decide on next steps.

What should a Fort Worth family do in the first month after a dementia diagnosis?

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.

Not sure where to start?

Answer five questions and a local advisor will come back with senior care options in your area that actually fit your situation and budget. It is free, and there is no obligation.

Find care options
Find senior care — free