As an Elder Law Attorney, I meet families impacted by dementia every day, and I am worried that it could be me who gets dementia. At age 80, almost 50% of people will be living with dementia, so it could be me.
I have been preparing for “What if it’s me who lives with dementia?” for a while. I have already watched as my mother-in-law and husband suffered and died from Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia. I have made sure that all my legal documents have provisions telling my family exactly what to do in the event that my mind starts failing. I have a co-trustee in place in the event of a stroke, head injury, or other sudden event where I am incapacitated so they can take over my finances right away. My kids know what I want if I end up on life support and when I can no longer recognize my family and friends. I have a life insurance policy with a rider that guarantees payment of $5,205 for care as long as I live and need it.
I am financially and legally prepared. I don’t think I can ever be truly prepared because dementia takes who you are away a little bit at a time, and some people, like my mother-in-law and husband, never realize they are losing their memory.
If you want to be prepared for “What if it’s ME who lives with dementia?” give me a call.
