Comprehensive Life Care Planning for Dementia Patients: What Families Need to Know

Posted on May 10, 2025 by shieldsandboris

If your loved one is dealing with dementia, you are certainly not alone. The New York Times cited research showing that there are more than six million Americans currently living with dementia—and that number is expected to rise sharply in the coming years. Dementia is a challenging condition for families. It can be debilitating, and it is degenerative.

A personalized dementia care plan can help to ensure that your vulnerable loved one enjoys the highest possible quality of life while your family receives the proper support. At The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris, we have extensive experience with dementia care planning. Here, our Pennsylvania elder law lawyer provides a guide to life care planning for dementia patients.

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is not a single, specific disease. Instead, it is a more general term that describes a decline in cognitive function that is severe enough to interfere with a person’s day-to-day life. It affects memory, reasoning, communication, and the ability to carry out routine tasks. Dementia also tends to arise with a gradual onset, meaning it gets worse over time. Some common symptoms include:

  • Confusion;
  • Forgetfulness;
  • Personality changes;
  • Difficulty with language; and
  • Challenges with decision-making.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It makes up around two-thirds of total diagnoses. Though there are other forms of dementia as well, including Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal disorders. Some people may be diagnosed only with a general form of dementia. Notably, it is more common in senior citizens, but it is not considered to be a normal part of aging. Dementia is a medical problem that requires support and care.

The Challenges of Supporting a Family Member With Dementia

A person who has dementia—even a relatively early-stage form of dementia—is vulnerable. It will often fall under the care of their spouse, adult children, and/or other loved ones to provide them with support. Dementia care is challenging. It can exhaust people and families in Pennsylvania physically, emotionally, and financially. Here are some of the most notable challenges:

  • Memory/Communication Difficulties: As dementia advances, your loved one may struggle to recall names, follow conversations, or recognize familiar places and people. For both patients and caregivers, it can lead to confusion, frustration, and emotional stress.
  • Adverse Behavioral and Psychological Changes: Another big issue is that people with dementia often have agitation, aggression, anxiety, and even hallucinations. These changes can be difficult to manage and may place serious strain on family relationships.
  • Safety Concerns: Even with relatively early stages of dementia, there are very serious safety concerns. The challenge is that dementia can impair judgment and awareness, increasing the risk of wandering, falls, or accidents in the home.
  • Intensive Physical Care Needs: Over time, individuals with dementia may lose the ability to perform daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, or eating. In some cases, near round-the-clock care may be required. That can be overwhelming for families.
  • Emotional Toll: Watching a loved one’s personality change or witnessing their gradual decline is emotionally devastating. Caregivers frequently experience grief, guilt, and burnout, especially without outside support. It can be a challenging situation.
  • Financial Stress and Legal Stress: Dementia often results in major long-term care needs, which can be expensive. Families may also face urgent decisions about powers of attorney, estate planning, Medicaid eligibility, and long-term care access. Beyond the emotional issues, the financial and legal stress can take a big toll on a family. Preparation is a must.

The Goal of Dementia Life Care Planning

Proactive dementia life care planning is a must. It can make a big difference for the vulnerable person and their family. The primary goal of dementia life care planning is to create a proactive, personalized roadmap that supports the patient’s evolving medical, emotional, legal, and financial needs, all while guiding and protecting the family.

A key point to remember is that dementia is progressive and inherently unpredictable. Things can change fast, and your loved one’s care needs are likely to become greater as time passes. A strong life care plan helps to ensure that the right services, resources, and legal protections are in place at every stage. It is about preserving dignity, safety, and quality of life for the person with dementia.

Developing a Personalized Dementia Life Care Plan

Every person and family is dealing with a different situation. Medical needs, financial resources, and family structure can all have a big impact on how a dementia care plan should be developed. A one-size-fits-all solution is not good enough for families in Pennsylvania. Dementia life care planning should always be personalized. It starts with a thorough assessment of medical, cognitive, and functional status, then integrates strategies for health care coordination, legal protection, long-term housing, and financial sustainability. Effective plans also account for emotional support and caregiver well-being.

How The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris Can Help With Dementia and Life Care Planning

The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris is a boutique Western Pennsylvania law firm that has extensive experience helping people and families develop life care plans for dementia. Indeed, our dementia and Life Care Planning Center is designed specifically to help families prepare for and deal with the complex legal, medical, and financial challenges families face after a diagnosis.

We help clients prepare for every stage of dementia by developing a personalized life care plan that prioritizes safety, quality of care, and asset protection. Our attorneys have experience with everything from Medicaid planning to legal document preparation to home safety assessments to caregiver support. We offer comprehensive services designed to ease the burden on families.

We Provide Life Care Planning Support for Dementia Patients and their Families

At The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris, our Pennsylvania elder lawyers have extensive experience providing dementia care planning services to patients and their families. We believe in compassionate, personalized care. Give us a call at (724) 268-4921 or contact us online to arrange a confidential initial consultation. We provide comprehensive, solutions-forward life care planning for support for dementia patients and their families throughout all of Western Pennsylvania.



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