Celebrating the holidays when a loved one has Alzheimer's disease - Hurley Elder Care Law | Georgia's #1 Certified Elder Law Attorney

Celebrating the holidays when a loved one has Alzheimers disease
November 7, 2023
POSTED IN: AgingTAGS: Aging, Alzheimer's Disease, Caregiving, Caring for Aging Parents, Cognitive Issues
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As the holiday season approaches, families are preparing to come together and celebrate.These gatherings are a time for joy, love, and cherished traditions, but they can also present challenges when a family member is living with Alzheimers disease or another form of dementia.Celebrating the holidays when a loved one has Alzheimers disease takes a little planning, understanding, and compassion.

It is possible to include your loved one in these special celebrations and all can enjoy this festive time.Communication is KeyEffective communication is crucial when a family member has Alzheimers.Make sure to inform all family members and guests about your loved ones condition beforehand, so they can adjust their expectations and behavior accordingly.Encourage patience and understanding and remind everyone to use simple and clear language when speaking.Create a Comfortable EnvironmentConsider your loved ones comfort and safety when planning holiday gatherings.

If possible, celebrate in a familiar and quiet setting, as new or crowded places can be overwhelming.Reduce noise and distractions, ensuring a peaceful atmosphere.Stick to Familiar TraditionsWhile some adaptations may be necessary, try to maintain as many of your familys holiday traditions as possible.Familiar routines can provide a sense of security and comfort for your loved one.

If your family has unique customs or rituals, include your loved one in a way that suits their abilities.Schedule SensiblyPlan your holiday events with your loved ones daily routine in mind.Try to schedule gatherings during their best times of the day, when they are most alert and less likely to experience agitation or fatigue.Keep activities short and simple to prevent overwhelming them.Involve Them in PreparationsEngage your loved one in holiday preparations to help them feel included.

Simple tasks like setting the table or stirring cookie batter can provide a sense of purpose and contribute to their sense of belonging.Be Mindful of Dietary RestrictionsIf your loved one has dietary restrictions or swallowing difficulties, ensure that the holiday meal options are safe and suitable for them.Consider offering familiar and easily manageable foods to prevent any discomfort.Create Memory AidsTo help engage in conversations and connect with others, consider creating memory aids.This can include a photo album with captions, a holiday-themed scrapbook, or a cheat sheet with names and brief descriptions of family members and friends attending the gathering.Delegate ResponsibilitiesDont hesitate to ask for help from other family members and friends.

Delegating responsibilities can help ensure that someone is always available to provide support and companionship during the gathering.Encourage Social InteractionEncourage family members and guests to engage with your loved one in meaningful ways.Simple activities like looking at old photographs, sharing stories, or listening to music can help create positive interactions and reduce feelings of isolation.Be Flexible and PatientRemember that Alzheimers can be unpredictable, and your loved ones mood and abilities may vary throughout the gathering.Stay flexible and patient and be ready to adapt plans if needed.

The most important thing is to make your loved one feel loved and included, even if it means adjusting your expectations.Hurley Elder Care Laws care coordinators work with our client families to create an environment that ensures the greatest success for our clients with dementia.Also, many families call our office after the holidays as this is a time when they notice significant changes in their loved ones and realize they need assistance of an elder law attorney.Please call us at 404-843-0121 with any questions or to discuss your situation.
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Posted in AgingTags: Aging, Alzheimer's Disease, Caregiving, Caring for Aging Parents, Cognitive Issues

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Client TestimonialsVery comfortable atmosphere.They treat you like you are one of the family.Val B.Superb service through a difficult maze of governmental regulations and requirements which are not navigable by an individual without a depth of knowledge that far exceeds mine.Wallace M.It's impossible to accurately describe the lost feeling of realizing you need power of attorney, updated will and general guidance all of a sudden when dealing with a parent with dementia.

The firms responsiveness has been superb, their work flawless and their advice kind, compassionate and professional.I'll forever know that their guidance prevented us from making many bad decisions.Neal R.Hurley Elder Care Law went to work for my Mother and navigated all of the Government red tape and got her approved for Medicaid in short order.I, as her POA, could not even begin to climb the mountain of paperwork on my own.David Q.Due to aging, escalating health and cost concerns for both my husband and myself, I chose to work with Hurley Elder Care to do care and estate planning.

I am so very pleased with the result.I have a much improved understanding of the complexity of this process, the necessary documents, timing, regulations and the need for professional guidance.Gina M.All I can say is Wow ! I have never seen a team attack and solve a problem like Hurley.We lost our father and two weeks later our mother suffered a severe stroke.

Nursing home costs were draining their life savings, but Hurley found a solution and got things under control.Gary G.
I hired Hurley Law because my research showed that they were the most trusted elder law group in Atlanta.Danielle...read moreI hired Hurley Law because my research showed that they were the most trusted elder law group in Atlanta.

Danielle did not disappoint; she was compassionate, hard working, and ultimately won the dispute on my behalf.Great work, Danielle! read lessTony Nettleman9/19/2023The team at Hurley are amazing.I was frankly astonished at the results they were able to provide for...

read moreThe team at Hurley are amazing.I was frankly astonished at the results they were able to provide for my elderly mom.I wholeheartedly recommend Hurley Elder Care Law! read lessSid Stephens8/07/2023My family is so thankful we found our way to Hurley Elder Care.

We initially met with them just to...read moreMy family is so thankful we found our way to Hurley Elder Care.We initially met with them just to discuss updating my parents legal documents.

Mom has dementia and she still held my dads health care power of attorney.Miles Hurley is a wealth of knowledge and opened our eyes to ways to protect my parents assets as well as getting mom approved for Medicaid so in home services can be provided to assist my parents.We worked closely with Paul to provide all the needed documents.

His knowledge and patience were appreciated every step of the way.Nicole was also a wealth of information and always available to answer questions and assist us.There is no way we could have navigated this process without Paul and Nicole! read lessCathy R.8/01/2023I chose Hurley Elder Care based on all the positive customer reviews and I am so glad I chose them....

read moreI chose Hurley Elder Care based on all the positive customer reviews and I am so glad I chose them.They are experts in their field and made the Medicaid process stress-free.Prior to partnering with Hurley Elder Care I wasn't getting much sleep due to all the unknown.

Kaila Crowder and Nicole Lott were amazing! They were there every step of the way and now my grandma is on Medicaid! I highly recommend Hurley Elder Care! Also, if I were to look back at the top decisions I have made in my lifetime, partnering with Hurley Elder Care would make that list!!! read lessBrian Railey7/17/2023I make confident referrals to this law firm with great frequency.They know their industry and provide excellent service.Ive...

read moreI make confident referrals to this law firm with great frequency.They know their industry and provide excellent service.Ive personally been to one of the training seminars that Miles led and gained a great deal of understanding of stage of life preparedness.

Excellent law firm! read lessRand Eberhard7/05/2023This is the 2nd time I have used Hurley Elder Care Law firm.They are a very professional group.You...

read moreThis is the 2nd time I have used Hurley Elder Care Law firm.They are a very professional group.You get a free one hour meeting to discuss your needs, and then decide whether or not they can help you.

They are expensive, but very efficient.THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!! Because of their expertise and no nonsense approach, we more than covered their fees in what we saved by securing the benefits we sought in very short order.I would definitely use them again and highly recommend their services.

The best! Worth every penny! read lessConnie Washburn2/07/2023Engaging Hurley Elder Care Law was the best thing I did when undertaking responsibility for the care of my sister...read moreEngaging Hurley Elder Care Law was the best thing I did when undertaking responsibility for the care of my sister with dementia.The staff there is amazing and guided me through the complexities of selecting a nursing home and the daily issues surrounding care.

They intervened when necessary to ensure her proper care.They were also the intermediary with Medicaid, taking the lead and guiding me when necessary.I can't say enough about their professionalism and knowledge of the eldercare laws, rules, and regulations and their desire to ensure that my sister was well represented throughout her battle with that terrible disease.

read lessEd Reed1/04/2023I would like to thank the Hurley Elder Care Law Firm for getting my cousin approved for Medicaid! My experience...read moreI would like to thank the Hurley Elder Care Law Firm for getting my cousin approved for Medicaid! My experience with Hurley Elder Care Law exceeded my expectations! The entire team was courteous, caring, knowledgeable, responsive, and professional.From my initial meeting with Miles Hurley to review my cousin's case, my anxieties were over.

Sam and Caitleen assisted me in collecting the needed documents to start my case.Grace Suchy did an outstanding job of walking me through this process and reassuring me that they would get this done.Also, Nicole Lott, LMSW Care Coordinator, visited my cousin at the nursing home on several occasions to make sure his needs were being met and she communicated with me before and after each visit.

If you feel lost and don't know exactly what you are doing, and it's very difficult getting through or working with DFACS, I encourage you to reachout to The Hurley Firm.The Hurley Elder Care Law Firm Team provided me full service, and I am highly recommending them without any reservations.read lessRonnie Kitchens12/31/2022Very responsive and caring.

I highly recommend.Janice Overbeck12/11/2022Hurley Elder Care helped my and husband and me to update our Wills and our Healthcare Powers of Attorney at...read moreHurley Elder Care helped my and husband and me to update our Wills and our Healthcare Powers of Attorney at a time that was most difficult for us.We were moving to a senior High Rise and we both have health issues.

Our wills and HPA were very outdated and we had no idea where to turn.Hurley was highly recommended to us by a respected professional, and we immediately made an appointment.They helped us navigate a lot of complicated material and within a matter of weeks, sent us a completed and updated Will and HPA in a durable notebook, with everything beautifully taken care of! They are the very BEST! read lessMarianne Craft12/04/2022Could not have asked for a better experience with Hurley Elder Care Law! From our initial consultation with Grace Suchy...

read moreCould not have asked for a better experience with Hurley Elder Care Law! From our initial consultation with Grace Suchy to the amazing year-round support from Paul Abrahamson, we were always in good hands.Paul took the time to explain complicated things in a way that was easy to understand.The team was very professional and knowledgeable, and helped us navigate it all.

And we were thankful for calls checking-in, offering help if we needed it and great reminder emails for things we need to do throughout the year.Highly recommend! read lessLynn Garber11/02/2022The team at Hurley Elder Care Law has been top notch throughout the entire process.From our initial meeting...

read moreThe team at Hurley Elder Care Law has been top notch throughout the entire process.From our initial meeting in Duluth (to accommodate my convenience), to helping unravel my parents' finances and securing payment for my mother's long-term care, I could not have asked for a better experience.Thorough answers, quick replies, patience with my constant barrage of questions, and a seemingly genuine care for our situation have been consistent throughout all of our interactions.

I would, and will, highly recommend their services!I am not going to lie and say that this undertaking has been an easy one, nor would I downplay mom and my hesitance when making the initial financial investment needed to secure Hurley's representation, BUT I cannot imagine how overwhelmed and frustrated I would have been if I had attempted to face these processes without their help.I am aware there are free resources and guidance available from other avenues, like the nursing home where mom lives, but in retrospect I am certain that said services would have been unable to answer all of my questions.I am also fairly sure that our interests would not have been so well prioritized and protected if we had chosen to travel these paths.Even with help it has been a daunting task, and the entire process seems intentionally designed to confound.

For us time was of the essence, and we were able to secure mom's coverage a full month before we found ourselves in a self-pay situation.I could site about a dozen instances where Hurley's experience and understanding of the process saved me time and money, but most important to me was that their support alleviated a lot of the stress and all of the uncertainty in these endeavors.It has been quite the undertaking, and mom and I speak often of how glad we are that we made the right decision in hiring Hurley Elder Care Law.read lessKeeton Hughes10/26/2022Recently had wills n powers of attorney done by miles hurley.

Two visits n everything was perfect.No rushing,...read moreRecently had wills n powers of attorney done by miles hurley.

Two visits n everything was perfect.No rushing, plenty of time for questions.Highly recommend.

read lessjohn moreman10/24/2022Very responsive and answers thoroughly answers questions.Shannan Norton6/13/2022Handling a probate case for me.Definitely seem to know what the court systems want around here.Very happy with...

read moreHandling a probate case for me.Definitely seem to know what the court systems want around here.Very happy with the job they've done so far.

read lesschad schoening5/23/2022They answered my questions promptly and were reasonably priced for what I needed in comparison to some of the other...read moreThey answered my questions promptly and were reasonably priced for what I needed in comparison to some of the other attorneys I checked.They made all the arrangements to take care of the situation I had and did it in a profession and timely manner.I would refer Hurley Elder Care Law to anyone that needs assistance with getting their older parents affairs in order.They answered my questions promptly and were reasonably priced for what I needed in comparison to some of the other attorneys I checked.They made all the arrangements to take care of the situation I had and did it More read lessJ Rod5/19/2022











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