Diagnosis of alzheimers - where to start?

[Snowsquonk]

Family member has been diagnosed with Alzheimers. She lives alone in a retirement flat 90mins drive away. Other relatives live 15 mins away from her and have been brilliant in taking her to appointments etc but need to step back somewhat now.
We have LPA in place and already registered. GP has given lots of useful advice but where do we start with things that might be useful. She is having issues with short term memory and looses words at times. At other times she appears to be fine. We arrange her food shopping to be delivered and she appears to be eating ok but as we are unable to visit regularly its difficult to tell. Cleaner usually but hasn't been in this lockdown so other family member had to clean yesterday. Any suggestions for what we should be doing would be welcome as feeling bit lost. Me and my partner both work full time so ability to go over is limited.

HI sorry to hear your relative has Alzheimers. It sounds like she has a supportive family and you are all looking out for her.

Does she claim attendance allowance? If not, maybe one of you could assist with applying and then possibly use the money towards a care package? Would she accept a carer going in once a day to check on her? At least then you would know that she was okay and eating.

Be mindful that she will deteriorate over time and at some point will not cope living on her own. Hopefully not for some time but my mum was diagosed last Autumn and is already saying she doesn't want to live alone anymore. Good luck.

Agree with applying for attendance allowance and maybe a Carer to pop in fir 10 minutes a day to check she's had her main meal?

I think there not a lot more you can do at this point apart from regular contact. Could you set up a family rota so you all call her on different days?

Thanks. Any tips for managing the "why am I the last to know" comments and suspicion that others are making decisions for her (we are not, she's just forgetting what conversations we have had). Would writing things down help?

@Snowsquonk

Thanks. Any tips for managing the "why am I the last to know" comments and suspicion that others are making decisions for her (we are not, she's just forgetting what conversations we have had). Would writing things down help?

Oh we get that all the time, "well no one told me!" I would be kind and not remind her a such that she has forgotten. Just repeat what is happening and yes maybe offer to write it down. Some times my DM will read written instructions and reminders, other times they have no effect.

A small white board for important messages can help.
There are lots of reminder aids available - try altzheimers society etc.