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

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

What's the difference between inpatient admission and observation status for Medicare purposes?

Medicare's skilled nursing facility benefit requires a qualifying inpatient hospital admission. Time spent under 'observation status' does not count toward that requirement, even if your parent physically stayed overnight in a hospital bed for multiple nights.

Which hospitals in the Fort Worth area handle senior discharge planning?

Texas Health Resources (Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth and Southwest Fort Worth), JPS Health Network's John Peter Smith Hospital, Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth, and Medical City/HCA facilities serving Arlington all maintain case management and discharge planning teams.

Can I push back on a hospital discharge date in Fort Worth?

Yes. A discharge date is a clinical recommendation, not an immovable deadline, and hospitals are required to have a discharge planning process you can engage with -- especially when no safe post-discharge arrangement is actually in place yet.

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