Planning In Case of Dementia
As we age, we all become more susceptible to lapses in memory. It’s very common to walk into a room and forget why; or to wait your turn in a conversation, only to discover you forgot what you were planning to say. When these things occur, many people become concerned they may be “losing it,” or are perhaps experiencing symptoms of dementia.
With approximately seven and a half million people diagnosed daily, it is easy to understand why people might be concerned.
The good news is if you realize you are experiencing a memory lapse, more than likely, you do not have dementia.
Most, if not all people experience an occasional lapse in memory. Dementia on the other hand isn’t occasional. It is persistent.
Often confused with Alzheimer’s, which is a disease (and the most common cause of dementia), dementia itself is a disorder caused by the destruction of brain cells – usually resulting in memory loss and/or a loss of reasoning. The result of which, is a decline in the ability to perform regular day to day activities such as dressing one’s self, bathing, or eating.
A person with dementia might for example …
Ask a question – re-ask the question, ask again, and never remember having asked in the first place.
They may get lost in their own neighborhood, on their own street.
They sometimes put things in the wrong place, like placing their toaster in the freezer – or they experience severe mood swings, going from calm to sad to anger in minutes.
A great many suffer loss of initiative and become passive, to the point of not wanting to go places or see people.
Even worse, most cases of dementia are incurable or irreversible. Still, there are exceptions, but they exist on matters where the symptoms are caused by thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies.
As for estate planning … A qualified estate planning attorney can draft a power of attorney (medical and/or financial), to name an agent for the person expected to experience dementia as long as the person needing power of attorney has capacity at the time of planning. If they do not, the best an estate planning attorney can do is assist by helping an agent gain conservatorship over the person.
For more information about power of attorneys, conservatorships or other estate planning documents; please schedule an appointment with a qualified estate planning attorney.
