Alzheimer’s disease is a terrible illness which often strikes seniors. It gradually makes the memory fade that even the person’s basic functions are forgotten. A family living with a senior suffering from Alzheimer’s disease could attest: it can break you emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. One moment you have everything, the next thing you know everything is gone.
Alzheimer’s disease is known for gradually increasing attacks on the sufferer which in time, will go permanent. The problem is that you will never know when this “permanent” attack will happen and if the person will be able to recover again after each attack. This is why it is important for the families to prepare and protect the sufferer’s assets and financial matters at the early stages of the said diseases.
The first stages of Alzheimer’s disease is easy enough to manage by the whole family since attacks are quite infrequent and shorter in course but eventually, you will need a professional help and may need to move the patient to a healthcare facility especially during the later stages of the disease. But financially, the family should prepare as this concern will be present right after the diagnosis itself.
According to a certified elder law attorney, the earlier you face the problem and discuss it with the patient, the better. There are laws that apply to seniors and elderly people which should be discussed with the family and the sufferer. These laws should be discussed when the sufferer still understands what’s going on, if possible.
POINTS TO COVER:
· Alzheimer’s disease health care is staggeringly high. Aside from the medications you will need and the assisted care later on, adult day care facilities have steeper rates for Alzheimer’s patient. In fact, this disease was found to be the most expensive to maintain as compared to any other diseases common to senior citizens.
· Wills should be prepared while the sufferer still recognizes the consequences of his or her actions. These are living will, last will and testament, health care power of attorney, and general power of attorney. Some states don’t accept these documents if they find the person in question is not capable of doing these statements and will therefore declare them as null and void.
· At this point, it is important to look and examine closely their assets. If the senior with Alzheimer’s disease is your spouse then you should assess your joint and conjugal properties at once. Somewhere along the way, you will need help from the government which will evaluate the person’s assets. Unfortunately in some cases wherein the couple did not prepare ahead, they lost everything they have worked for all these years.
The laws covering seniors are ever changing, that is why you need to seek help from someone updated with these kinds of things such as certified elder law attorneys. These people are experienced and certified by the law to handle seniors’ affair and protect them from losing everything they have.
