The prospect of developing Alzheimer’s disease late in your life may not be a very pleasant one, but it is a real one all the same.
If you knew that there was a significant possibility of encountering some type of challenge in the future, you would probably want to prepare in advance to the best of your ability. However, many people go through life without planning ahead for the possibility of incapacity.
Approximately one out of every eight senior citizens is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. This figure increases to almost half among those who are at least 85 years of age according to an in-depth Alzheimer’s report that has been released by the New York Times.
Those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease often need assistance with their day-to-day needs, so in light of the statistics you should prepare for the possibility of incurring long-term care expenses.
There is also the possibility of becoming unable to make your own medical and financial decisions. Most people do not want to leave it up to the courts to appoint a guardian or conservator, and you can avoid this by naming your own decision-makers.
This can be done by executing documents called durable powers of attorney. Because they are “durable” they remain in effect even if you become incapacitated.
It is best to approach the effects of aging in a pragmatic and sober minded fashion. Given the ubiquity of Alzheimer’s disease, incapacity is something that everyone should plan ahead for in advance.
John’s practice focuses on the use of Wills and Living Trusts in Estate Planning to help individuals protect their families and preserve their legacies after their deaths, but his practice also focuses on the critical issues of protecting individuals with dementia or other diminished capacity, assisting individuals in qualifying for Medicaid and other government benefits to offset the costs of long-term care, and providing special needs planning.
John is admitted to practice law in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio, and he is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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