Dealing with the legal and financial consequences of illnesses such as dementia or Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming for any family. This is why legal and medical experts encourage those who may develop these conditions to start making arrangements for the future as soon as they can.
These arrangements include drawing up essential legal and financial documents, such as a will or a living trust. You may also name an authorized executor or administrator for your estate and create a power of attorney document with advance directives regarding end-of-life circumstances.
For assistance with elder care planning, contact Bratton Estate & Elder Care Attorneys. Our Vineland dementia and Alzheimer’s lawyer can walk you through what you need to know about elder care law, how financial and care planning is typically managed for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, and how to ensure you or your loved one will receive care and treatment to maintain quality of life.
The Importance of Elder Care Planning for Dementia and Alzheimer’s
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly five million adults suffer from Alzheimer’s in the United States. Illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s can make it difficult to make decisions about your own care and treatment as the illness progresses.
This is why it is important to take elder care planning seriously and initiate it as soon as someone receives a diagnosis of an illness that can affect their mental or physical abilities. There are many rules and laws that govern elder care and a person’s eligibility for different forms of assistance.
The tax, inheritance, and probate laws that govern the estate, will, finances, and assets can also be complex. Learning about the relevant rules, laws, and restrictions and how they apply to your situation are critical aspects of any elder care health or financial plan.
For a legal consultation with a dimentia and alzheimer's lawyer in Vineland, call 856-857-6007
Important Documents for Elder Care Planning
Elder care planning is an important part of ensuring patient well-being, as per the National Institute on Aging. The elder care planning process for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s involves many different medical, financial, and legal documents.
These documents can include directives regarding your health and wishes regarding financial management, if you are ever unable to make such decisions for yourself. For example, you can work with a lawyer to draw up a living will stating your wishes regarding medical treatment near the end of life or in the event of incapacitation.
A power of attorney designates an individual—often referred to as a proxy or agent—who will make important decisions on your should you become unable to do so. You may also consider a “Do Not Resuscitate” order.
Living wills, powers of attorney, and Do Not Resuscitate orders are legally binding documents and must be planned ahead of time, when you are still able to make such decisions. Additional documents you may wish to have drawn up include directives regarding organ donation, blood dialysis, or blood transfusions.
Vineland Dimentia and Alzheimer's Lawyer 856-857-6007
Financial and Estate Management
Elder care planning regarding your financial assets and estate will also be important to ensure that funds are set aside for your future care. Some of the elements you may consider when planning your estate include:
- Desired arrangements for the care and well-being of minors.
- Gifts of monetary, intrinsic, or sentimental value, such as shares, property, physical belongings, or keepsakes.
- Authorizing an individual or a trust to manage the estate.
- Wishes regarding funeral or burial arrangements.
- Specifics regarding inheritance shares and other financial matters for anyone eligible for such shares or assets.
Many of these directives will be preserved in a living will, as outlined in the previous section. A living trust is another option, which can:
- Provide directives for many different types of property.
- Provide executants or trustees with a thorough and detailed plan regarding property distribution or sharing.
- Help your family avoid the expenses and delays of going through probate, the process by which a court establishes the validity of a will.
The earlier you plan and draft these documents, the more peace of mind you and your family will have. To get started right away, reach out to our team at Bratton Estate & Elder Care Attorneys.
Our firm can help you get started with an investigation of all relevant laws and the benefits that may apply. We can also help you prepare a plan for yourself or your loved one after a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Contact a Vineland Dementia and Alzheimer’s Lawyer Today
The possibility of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s makes early life care and estate planning especially worthwhile. It will allow you to make decisions about your future care and treatment before the condition progresses. You will need to consider the costs this may incur so you can set aside the necessary funds for your care.
Making these decisions early on can help your family in the long run. You may wish to seek the advice of an elder care attorney while making these plans. A lawyer who handles life care planning and estate administration like those from our firm can help.
A Vineland dementia and Alzheimer’s lawyer can guide you through the many steps of planning for your future and draft documents regarding your healthcare and finances.
We have a compassionate team that values advocacy, which is why we have a certified dementia practitioner on staff to assist us in creating the right plan for you. Contact the Bratton Estate & Elder Care Attorneys team today to begin.
Call 856-857-6007 or complete the Contact us form
