Hello everyone! I am seeking advice regarding a challenging situation at my workplace.

A few months back, I was promoted to manager, overseeing my former peers. We have a close professional and personal relationship. As a team leader, it's now my responsibility to make decisions for the team, including crafting career paths for them. One of my team members (TM) is facing a difficult situation. He is terminally ill and undergoing treatment with maintenance drugs. During our recent discussion, I discovered that his illness is affecting his cognitive abilities, gradually deteriorating over time.

TM has been a valuable team member, but there are noticeable signs that his illness is impacting his performance. I am unsure how best to handle this situation. Terminating his employment due to his illness seems cruel, especially considering his contributions to the team and his reliance on our healthcare benefits for medical care.

While he is currently performing well, there is a possibility that the quality of his work may decline in the future. As a leader, I am contemplating creating a contingency plan. Though expensive, hiring a junior employee to serve as a backup is the only solution I can think of at the moment.

I would greatly appreciate any insights or suggestions you may have. Your input is valuable to me. Thank you in advance.