The Alzheimer’s Care Journey

Aug 07, 2016

By Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney Rick Law.  Rick Law and his daughter and law partner Diana Law are senior advocates at the Estate Planning Center at Law Elder Law, a multi-generation law firm serving seniors and their families in Western Chicagoland.

The Alzheimer’s care journey is an often misunderstood experience that is shared by many and simultaneously unique to every family that it affects.  It reaches far beyond just the individual who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.  Family and close friends are brought together and forced to cope as a loved one faces the trials of the Alzheimer’s care spectrum.  Thankfully we can begin to recognize the symptoms, and care for the affected.

It often begins with memory loss ignored.  We’ve all been there or seen it in action.  When “Where did I put my glasses?” is uttered a few too many times to be mere forgetfulness.  Aging can be difficult.  It’s hard enough to accept your own body’s physical frailties, let alone face a devastating diagnosis of declining mental cognizance.

This is why the second stage of memory loss masked/denied is so common…we try to compensate.  Part of it is lying to ourselves, not wanting to face the truth.  Part of it is fear of what others might think when they discover that silly old uncle Bob is more than just forgetful.  He may need help.  As the individual facing the diagnosis, you may not or feel that you need want help, and it may be difficult to accept.

The problem is, you may be unsafe alone. Forgetting to turn the stove off, forgetting to take your medicine, the list goes on. There are a myriad of potential harmful side effects to memory loss that, in fact, can make it down right dangerous to continue living alone.

Aid needed, but fights back. Another side effect of dementia can be misplaced anger, or general malaise accompanied by confusion.  If somebody you may not recognize is trying to take you to a place you don’t think you need to go, it’s entirely conceivable that you might become combative.

My son-in-law tells a story about his grandfather who always made him promise “not to put him in a home…EVER”.  But there came a time when assisted living was required.  He just wasn’t safe at home by himself anymore, and a daily visit from a health practitioner became part of the routine, which led to a live-in assistant, and eventually, a nursing home was required.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, and Hospice care/death are the end of the healthcare spectrum.  The worst thing you can do is wait till it’s too late to begin planning for what happens after you die.

If your loved one has memory problems and you’re afraid of the consequences that may bring, give our office a call today at 800-310-3100.  Your first consultation is absolutely free.  We’ll let you know what steps you need to take, right now, to protect yourself and your family.  Call now.

Sincerely,

Rick L. Law, Attorney, Estate Planner for Retirees.

Rick was named the #1 Illinois elder law estate planning attorney by Leading Lawyer Magazine. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, TheStreet.com, and numerous newspapers and articles. Rick is the lead attorney for Law Elder Law, LLP, focusing in Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Nursing Home Solutions. His goal is to give retirees an informed edge when it comes to dealing with an uncertain future.  Get flexible retirement strategies that work during good times and bad, plus information on how you can save your home and assets from being used to pay for long term care.  Call 800-310-3100 for your free consultation now!