Dementia: How to Prepare Your Family
Ashley Day Law
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Apr 24, 2025
Alabama - Gulf Coast
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Dementia: How to Prepare Your Family
As the average age of our population rises, so does the risk
of dementia. For your family members, your planning manifests your love for
them, providing peace of mind and the tools needed to ensure care is provided
as planned.
When a family member begins showing signs of dementia,
taking proactive legal and financial steps can help ensure their well-being and
protect their interests. Here are some initial moves to consider:
Legal Moves
- Consult an Elder Law
Attorney: Seek a professional specializing in elder law to guide the
family through legal options. They can help assess the situation and
recommend appropriate actions based on the individual's current mental
capacity.
- Establish Power of
Attorney (POA): If the family member is still mentally competent,
arrange for a durable power of attorney for healthcare and finances. This
designates someone to make decisions on their behalf when they can no
longer do so. Timing is critical—once capacity is lost, this option may no
longer be viable.
- Update or Create a Will:
Ensure the family member’s will reflects their current wishes. If they
don’t have one, encourage them to create one while they can still express
their intentions clearly.
- Consider a Living Trust:
A revocable living trust can help manage assets during their lifetime and
avoid probate after their passing. This requires the individual to have
sufficient mental capacity to set it up.
- Review Advance
Healthcare Directives: Help them document their healthcare
preferences, such as a living will or healthcare proxy, to outline their
wishes for medical treatment if they become incapacitated.
Financial Moves
- Assess Financial
Situation: Gather information about their assets, debts, income
sources (e.g., pensions, Social Security), and expenses. This provides a
clear picture for planning.
- Simplify Finances:
Consolidate accounts (e.g., bank accounts, investments) to make management
easier. Set up automatic bill payments to prevent missed obligations.
- Monitor for
Exploitation: Watch for signs of financial abuse, as dementia can make
individuals vulnerable to scams. Consider adding a trusted family member
to accounts for oversight (with permission if they’re still competent).
- Plan for Long-Term Care
Costs: Research costs of in-home care, assisted living, or nursing
homes, and explore funding options like long-term care insurance, Medicaid
eligibility, or veterans’ benefits if applicable.
- Secure Important
Documents: Locate and organize key documents—bank statements,
insurance policies, property deeds, and tax records—so they’re accessible
when needed.
Additional Tips
- Act
Early: Dementia is progressive, and legal and financial options
diminish as cognitive decline advances. Early action preserves autonomy
and reduces future stress.
- Involve
the Family Member: If they’re still capable, include them in
discussions to respect their preferences and maintain dignity.
- Seek
Professional Help: A financial advisor or geriatric care manager can
complement legal efforts, especially for complex estates or care planning.
At Ashley Day Law we will work with you to determine
your priorities and what future needs must be met and put together the best
course of action based on your income and assets to protect your quality of
life and reduce unnecessary stress within the family.
We believe these steps will provide a good start to protect
your family member’s interests and ensure their care aligns with their wishes
as their condition evolves. For any questions or to discuss your situation,
feel free to reach out to Ashley Day Law at 251-277-3377.
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