First 90 Days: A Practical Guide for Adult Children of Newly Diagnosed Dementia Patients

Did the doctor just say the word dementia?
Are you sitting in your car, staring at the steering wheel, wondering what happens next?
Have the late-night searches already begun-leaving you overwhelmed, uncertain, and quietly afraid of getting something wrong?

You are at the beginning of something you were never prepared for.

And in these early weeks and months, the decisions you make can significantly shape your parent's care, your family dynamics, and your own well-being for years to come.

Here's what many families don't realize early enough: important legal and financial decisions often become more complicated as cognitive decline progresses. Planning ahead matters. Understanding care options matters. Knowing how to protect your loved one-and yourself-matters.

So where do you start?

This book is a clear, practical guide designed for real people navigating a very real situation. Not a medical textbook. Not a memoir. And not vague encouragement.
This is a step-by-step roadmap for what to do-starting now.

Inside, you'll discover:

• What a dementia diagnosis really means-and the key questions to ask early
• The essential legal and financial steps to consider while your parent can still participate in decisions
• How to organize family conversations and reduce conflict before it begins
• Simple ways to improve home safety and daily routines
• Communication strategies that make caregiving less stressful
• When and how to introduce outside help
• What to discuss with your parent while meaningful conversations are still possible
• And how to care for your loved one without losing yourself in the process

This isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about being prepared, informed, and intentional.

Take a moment to ask yourself:
Six months from now, what will you wish you had known today?

A dementia diagnosis changes the path-but it doesn't remove your ability to respond with clarity, structure, and care.

Start now. Take the first step toward understanding what comes next-and how to face it with confidence.