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Alzheimer’s Caregiving Tips
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Legal and Financial Planning
Many people are unprepared to disease are often capable of
deal with the legal and financial understanding many aspects and
consequences of a serious illness
such as Alzheimer’s disease. Legal consequences of legal decision
legal
However,
making.
and
and medical experts encourage medical experts say that many forms
people recently diagnosed with a
serious illness—particularly one that is of planning can help the person and
his or her family even if the person is
expected to cause declining mental diagnosed with later-stage
and physical health—to examine Alzheimer’s.
and update their financial and
health care arrangements as soon There are good reasons to retain the
as possible. Basic legal and financial services of a lawyer when preparing
instruments, such as a will, a living advance planning documents. For
trust, and advance directives, are example, a lawyer can help
available to ensure that the person’s interpret different State laws and
late-stage or end-of-life health care suggest ways to ensure that the
and financial decisions are carried person’s and family’s wishes are
out. carried out. It’s important to
understand that laws vary by state,
A complication of diseases such as and changes in situation—for
Alzheimer’s is that the person may instance, a divorce, relocation, or
lack or gradually lose the ability to death in the family—can influence
think clearly. This change affects his how documents are prepared and
or her ability to participate maintained.
meaningfully in decision making and
makes early legal and financial
planning even more important. LEGAL, FINANCIAL, AND
Although difficult questions often HEALTH CARE PLANNING
arise, advance planning can help
people with Alzheimer’s and their DOCUMENTS
families clarify their wishes and make
well-informed decisions about
health care and financial When families begin the legal
arrangements. planning process, there are a
When possible, advance planning number of strategies and legal
should take place soon after a documents they need to discuss.
diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer’s
while the person can participate in Depending on the family situation
discussions. People with early-stage and the applicable State laws,
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