we’ve got this, together

the Arlan sisters

managing early onset Alzheimer’s

Katie, Anne and Julie have shared most of lives ups and downs, together. So when Katie was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s,  her sisters were determined to help. 

With the help of a Savanna advisor, they were able to quickly identify the services they needed to safely maintain Katie’s lifestyle as long a possible. Within the first few months, they answered a lot of long term planning questions that put Katie’s mind at ease. Now, they have regular check-ins with the advisor to monitor progress and discuss how to address their evolving needs.

Click below to see more on Katie’s journey.

  • I love my life and I want to keep my lifestyle as long as I can. I was determined to find providers who would recommend treatment plans, diets, exercise and more that would work towards that goal. The folks at Savanna really understand that. So we decided to give it a try.

  • Our advisor, John, is so helpful! We got so much done in the first couple of months with his guidance. Honestly, I don’t know if we would have figured out half of it.

  • Month 1:

    • Developed a Care Progression Plan. The sisters agreed to the services Katie would receive so that she could live in her own home. They also agreed to how and when those plans would change.

    • Found and Set Up Appointments with Specialists. Katie needed a psychiatrist and neurologist.

    Month 2:

    • Started working with a Lawyer. Katie wanted to make sure that she appointed a power of attorney and had clear plans for her house. 

    • Identified vendors to retro-fit Katie’s and Anne’s homes. They made small tweaks to make sure that Katie could stay in her or her sister’s home for as long as possible.

the Garcias & Duncans

adjusting to mild dementia

The Garcias and the Duncans met on a hike and became fast friends. Now, they all live in a popular retirement town in North Carolina.

About a year after moving, George was diagnosed with mild dementia. George and Maria weren’t sure what to do. Their adult children lived in another state and the day-to-day needs were piling up. Even with the help of the Duncans, it was a lot to manage. They heard about Savannah through a support group and decided to give it a try.

Their Savanna advisor, Franklin, showed the group how to use the platform to schedule and coordinate services and even assign each other tasks. He also worked with each of them to get the support services they needed to reduce stress and enjoy their time together.

Here's what Maria had to say about the experience:

  • When George was diagnosed with dementia, I felt so lost. I didn't know where to turn for help. I wanted to make sure that he was well taken care of, but I didn't know how to do it on my own. That's when I heard about Savanna.

  • Our advisor, Franklin, has been a lifesaver. He's helped us with everything from finding the right caregivers to creating a care plan. He's also been there to answer all of my questions and reassure me that we're doing the right thing for George.

  • Month 1:

    • Developed a Care Progression Plan. We agreed on the services George would receive so that he could live in our home. We also agreed to how and when those plans would change.

    • Found and Set Up Appointments with Specialists. George started seeing a neurologist and a geriatric psychiatrist.

    • Enrolled George in a Day Program. This gives him a chance to socialize with other people with dementia and participate in activities that he enjoys.

    Month 2:

    • Started Working with a Lawyer. We wanted to make sure that George had a power of attorney and clear plans for our house and finances.

    • Identified vendors to retro-fit our home. We made small tweaks like installing grab bars in the bathroom and lowering the shelves in the kitchen.

    Month 3:

    • Hired a Caregiver. George was starting to need more help with activities of daily living, so we hired a caregiver to come in a few hours each day.

    • Joined a Support Group. This gave me a chance to meet other caregivers and share experiences.

    Month 4:

    • Started Thinking About the Future. We began to discuss our long-term plans for George's care. We also started looking into assisted living facilities, just in case.