Memory Loss and the Alzheimer’s Journey

Dec 05, 2014

By Rick Law of the Estate Planning Center at Law Elder Law

Most people “know” they are not really going to win the lottery…

Sure, they may buy a ticket here and there and daydream about winning, but deep down they do not expect anything to come of it.

Individuals with dementia may not understand that they are not going to win or that they are spending more money on tickets than they can afford. Individuals with dementia lose their capacity to understand financial meaning and to appreciate the consequences of their own actions.

People on the Alzheimer’s journey often progress through this range of symptoms:

• memory loss ignored
• memory loss masked/denied
• unsafe alone
• aid needed
• assisted living required
• nursing home required
• hospice care required/death

The family of a loved one with Alzheimer’s often progresses through a complementary trajectory that may have some of these components:

• memory loss ignored
• memory loss masked/denied/facilitated
• memory loss assistance needed by loved one, but hidden from “outsiders”

Family members need to be extremely proactive in carefully investigating a loved one’s change in behavior.

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 or 630-585-5200.  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 for 3 years in a row 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.