This case study is based on a client with a Dementia.
. Mr. Fred Walsh, a 72-year-old male has been to visit his General Practitioner with his wife to discuss his health. Both Fred and his wife Mary are concerned about Fred’s deteriorating memory function considering both his parents lived for many years with dementia. Fred has no mental health history nor has he a history of alcohol or substance abuse.

By his wife’s report, Fred has a history of five years of progressive memory loss, and has had a decline in his ability to perform daily tasks. He is unable to perform complex household tasks, shopping, or walking in familiar neighborhoods without getting lost.
He still performs his basic activities of daily living, such as personal hygiene, dressing, and preparing simple meals.
The Neighborhood around them is very supportive and keep an eye on Fred and will come and ask him to go for a walk to the shops with them.
Fred and Mary have been managing on their own as their only child lives in another state and has two preschool children to look after. Jane manages to visit once a year and they talk every week on the phone. She has told Mary she is concerned that Fred cannot have a proper conversation with her anymore and how they are going to manage to stay in their own home.
In answering your criteria consider the community care options that are available to assist Fred to stay at home now and also later on as the disease progresses.
Also consider – Fred tells you he wants to die if he has to go into care and he doesn’t want any treatment to keep him alive. What kind of response should you make and what are the legal options available to Fred.