What To Do When You First Learn a Loved One Has Alzheimer's
Get a medical-information release form (HIPAA) signed.
Why and how to get a medical-information release form signed
Your loved one will need a backup person to remember medical instructions and help make healthcare decisions. Most healthcare providers require patients to sign a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) disclosure authorization before discussing or sharing their health information with another party. It’s important to get your loved one to execute this form as soon as possible, while he or she is still competent to do so. The government does not distribute standardized HIPAA forms, so most doctor's offices provide their own. It's best to have your loved one sign one for each of their doctors. Keep signed copies of all the forms.
