 |
PLANNING |
|
Families who have a loved one with dementia should take a look at legal and financial issues—the sooner, the better. Advance planning may enable individuals with dementia to provide input into the decision-making before loss of cognitive abilities prevents them from doing so. In addition, advance planning may relieve some of the burden on caregivers and other family members when important issues arise during the progression of the disease.
Here are some issues to consider:
- Review of financial resources and investment portfolios, including bank and investment accounts, bonds, Social Security, and employer pensions.
- Insurance coverage, including health, disability, life, prescription drug, and long-term care.
- Long-term care options, including in-home care, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
- End-of-life wishes regarding life-sustaining procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), artificial feeding and artificial breathing, and palliative care (treatments to manage symptoms and relieve pain).
- Preparation of estate planning documents and advance directives, such as a will, a living will that states end-of-life wishes and a durable power of attorney that appoints a person to make medical decisions on an individual’s behalf.
- Hospice care—and whether this care for the terminally ill should be provided at home or in a hospital or long-term care facility.
|
