Of all the health issues that people fear, being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia are high on the list. People do not want to lose their ability to live independently, and their family members don’t want that for them either. Unfortunately, the number of people who have been diagnosed with these conditions is on the rise in conjunction with the aging of the population, and the risk that you or your elderly loved one will be diagnosed with them goes up with each passing year. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than five million Americans live with Alzheimer’s today, by 2050 this number could rise as high as 16 million. Though there is no cure today for the disease, little you can do to prevent the onset of dementia, there are life care planning steps that you can take to protect your rights and help make things easier on yourself and your loved ones. The elder law attorneys at Rothamel Bratton and our qualified elder care coordinators are here to help you prepare if Alzheimer’s or dementia strikes your loved one.

As is always true, the best approach to a crisis is to have a plan in place. This is the goal of having a life care plan. At Rothamel Bratton, our elder care coordinators and attorneys will work collaboratively with you, identifying the issues that need to be addressed and methodically creating a strategy that is tailor-made to your needs, goals and situation. We can help you coordinate care, whether that means arranging to have your loved one move into a memory care facility or for having a home health team provide care at home. Our goal is to ensure that your loved one’s needs are addressed quickly and competently, and also in a way that allows you to leverage the various benefits to which they may be entitled. We have extensive experience in coordinating Medicaid and VA benefits, as well as assisting with estate planning strategies that allow you to more quickly and effectively receive the benefit of these programs while maintaining your loved one’s hard-earned assets.

Alzheimer’s and dementia bring heartache to a family. It is indescribably painful to watch your loved one’s memories slip away and to watch a person who was once vital and independent lose their ability to function on their own. At Rothamel Bratton, we know that you need information about how to ensure that you are providing for them as well as possible. Your primary concern is ensuring that they are safe and comfortable and getting the care that they need. You also want to make sure that their assets are legally protected and that the legacy that they had planned is honored. Our firm has earned a reputation for providing individuals and families with a high level of compassionate and caring service in all areas of elder law, estate planning and life care planning. When you need help addressing your loved one’s needs, count on us to provide you with the assistance you need.