When dementia progresses, everything changes—but most families don’t update their care plan until something goes wrong.

If you’ve noticed new safety concerns, medication confusion, or your loved one’s behaviors shifting, it’s time to pause and reassess.

Because a care plan isn’t a document you write once—it’s a living roadmap that should grow with your person.

Why Your Care Plan Can’t Stay the Same

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “We made one when Mom was diagnosed.”

That’s a great start—but it’s not enough.

Dementia isn’t static. Your person might be stable for months, then suddenly decline in memory or mobility.

Without regular updates, even the best plan becomes outdated, and caregivers end up reacting to crises instead of preventing them.

The Red Flags That Say ‘Update Needed’

Watch for these warning signs:

• Safety concerns are showing up more often—wandering, stove left on, near-falls.

• Medication management is slipping—missed doses or double doses.

• Behavior changes—new anxiety, irritability, or sleeplessness.

• You’re feeling burned out or overwhelmed.

If any of these sound familiar, it’s not failure—it’s feedback.

Your person’s needs are changing, and your care plan should too.

What to Include in Your Updated Care Plan

A strong plan covers four key areas:

1️⃣ Daily Functioning: What your person can and can’t do independently.

2️⃣ Safety: Real-world risks specific to your situation (wandering, falls, cooking hazards).

3️⃣ Medical: Updated medications, new diagnoses, doctor recommendations.

4️⃣ Caregiver Support: Backup care, respite options, and personal well-being goals.

And remember—include yourself. A plan that burns out the caregiver isn’t sustainable.

Partnering With Your Medical Team

Bring your updated plan to every appointment.

Your doctor can’t help with what they don’t know—and vague updates like “she’s more confused” don’t paint the full picture.

That’s where the Medical Assistance Planner comes in.

It helps you document patterns, medication changes, and behaviors so your care team sees the full story—not just the 15-minute snapshot from an office visit.

📘 Download your Medical Planner → https://bit.ly/471Ezap

The Takeaway

Updating your plan isn’t extra work—it’s what keeps you ahead of the work.

When your plan reflects reality, you reduce stress, prevent emergencies, and protect your own well-being in the process.

💜 Caring for you while you care for them.