@judimahoney We haven’t had my father diagnosed on the advice of my clinical nurse sister because in his case we see it as being more harmful to him. It’s not helpful for him, just distressing. He used to be a senior lawyer. I was also a senior lawyer retired early due to stage 4 cancer (in remission).

I have had an enduring power of attorney from my father for many years. It was put in place when he did his Will and when he and my mother travelled and he needed me to pay bills.

I’ve been using that for years with his knowledge and approval to avoid legal issues. As a family (a brother and sister) we argue and agree what I recommend to my father. We have agreed that his longstanding GP who has known my father for years makes the call if we can’t agree, like whether or not he gets vaccinations. We do the same with his long standing financial adviser over his finances. My father has approved that approach.

I still keep my father heavily involved in decisions about him. In the here and now yes he’s a young child now in many ways. But he’s still very switched on over his medical and financial affairs, although he’ll forget the conversation very quickly. We need to remind him of the conversation and go back through it again where necessary (like what repairs to do to his house). He’ll make the same decisions which is still helpful. There will come a time when he won’t.

The enduring power of attorney - made while he was still a high powered practising lawyer - has been invaluable. I hope others had the foresight to get an enduring power in place early.

I have granted one myself “just in case” having learnt from my father’s situation.

It’s a balancing act. We still visit his GP frequently with him and she’s never discussed his mental state but is comfortable with what she sees in the here and now before her. Appointments take longer as we have to explain everything and answer his questions.

I think it depends very much on the person with cognitive decline - what is best for them in their daily lives. Whether a diagnosis WILL actually improve that person’s life, or make it worse.