What Are The Signs That My Loved One Has Dementia?

Dec 10, 2014

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

There is no single factor that can provide a clear sign that an adult is functioning with diminished capacity, but there are clues that, when taken together, may indicate that professional medical tests should be conducted.

Family members may notice the potential signs of cognitive incapacity manifest themselves in a myriad of ways – perhaps in the person’s decisional abilities, their cooperativeness, or friendliness.

Upon seeking legal counsel, it is common that the lawyer will rely on the client’s family to provide much of the information regarding behavior, decision making abilities, and more. Knowing the factors to look for allows the lawyer to ask the client’s family the correct questions to determine what is best for the client and the family..

Some of the factors to watch for include:

• change in the client’s typical manner of behavior (these changes may take place over a long period of time and may not be instantly recognizable);
• unusually poor grooming or hygiene;
• short-term memory loss;
• comprehension problems;
• lack of mental flexibility;
• calculation problems;
• emotional signs of incapacity, such as emotional distress or
• emotional inappropriateness; and
• behavior incapacity, such as delusions or disorientation.

Do not assume that the normal aging process is the same as diminished capacity.

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 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.