If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer’s Disease, or if you have reasons for concern that this may impact you, it is essential that you ensure that wishes are recorded in a legally binding manner BEFORE memory loss has progressed to a place where it is not possible.  It may be hard to do this, because doing so requires acknowledgment of the possibility of a future that is unwanted.

Think of it this way: If you take the necessary steps to ensure that your wishes are followed in the event of inability to manage personal and financial personal affairs, you will be protected and your wishes will be followed.  If you do not take the necessary steps for legal and financial planning, your wishes will likely not be followed.  If you do take the necessary steps to protect yourself or someone you love in preparation for the day that they are unable to make decisions and manage their personal and financial affairs, and that day never comes- Wonderful!  In short, taking the necessary steps for legal and financial planning CAN’T HURT and MIGHT HELP.

Our community name, WhatsYourNameAgain.com is humorous.  The fact is, we care about you.  And we urge you to print out the free legal fact sheet below, and follow its guidance today. This Fact Sheet, NIH Publication No. 08-6422, is an outstanding, comprehensive document on Legal and Financial Planning for People with Alzheimer’s Disease. Then, consult our Best of the Best Directory of Elder Law attorneys for your state to meet with an elder law attorney. If you have a quick question for an attorney, you can even ask it in the box below and get an answer right away!   If you have not already created a will using the services of an attorney, and would prefer to do it online, you can use the link below.   We do encourage you to consult with an attorney as you prepare your legal documents.
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Legal and Financial Planning for People with Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral (ADEAR) Center
A Service of the National Institute on Aging
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Many people are unprepared to deal with the legal and financial consequences of a serious illness such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Legal and medical experts encourage people recently diagnosed with a serious illness — particularly one that is expected to cause declining mental and physical health — to examine and update their financial and health care arrangements as soon as possible. Basic legal and financial instruments, such as a will, a living trust, and advance directives, are available to ensure that the person’s late-stage or end-of-life health care and financial decisions are carried out.

A complication of diseases such as AD is that the person may lack or gradually lose the ability to think clearly. This change affects his or her ability to participate meaningfully in decision making and makes early legal and financial planning even more important. Although difficult questions often arise, advance planning can help people with AD and their families clarify their wishes and make well-informed decisions about health care and financial arrangements.

When possible, advance planning should take place soon after a diagnosis of early-stage AD while the person can participate in discussions. People with early-stage AD are often capable of understanding many aspects and consequences of legal decision making. However, legal and medical experts say that many forms of planning can help the person and his or her family even if the person is diagnosed with later-stage AD.

There are good reasons to retain the services of a lawyer when preparing advance planning documents. For example, a lawyer can help interpret different State laws and suggest ways to ensure that the patient’s and family’s wishes are carried out. It’s important to understand that laws vary by State, and changes in situation — for instance, a divorce, relocation, or death in the family — can influence how documents are prepared and subsequently maintained.

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Ask an Attorney Now!

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Create Your Will On-Line Now!

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THE MEMORY VAULT

If you would like to ensure that your recorded wishes are not lost, but remain private until needed, consider using the services of The Memory Vault. The Memory Vault is a secure online document storage and retrieval service that offers the Mind+Assurance Recorded Wishes Service for individuals who are concerned with keeping copies of their legal documents in one secure place, safe from prying eyes. The Memory Vault also offers a complete do it yourself kit including creating your last will and testament, powers of attorney, health care proxies and much more. With the Memory Vault you can be prepared for the uncertainties that accompany memory loss and retain control as long as possible.

Click here to learn more.