Nearly 44 million people struggle with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. In the United States, one in nine seniors over 65 suffer from this disease and the cost of caring for Alzheimer’s patients is estimated to be around $226 billion. Approximately 15 million Americans are charged with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. This means that in addition to watching someone they love succumb to the pain and indignity of the disease, they also have to worry about the logistics of planning for their loved one’s future and making sure their loved one is properly cared for as they get older.
The month of June has been declared National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. This 30-day event was established to promote awareness, education and fundraising to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. While most people are sympathetic to the plight of those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, few realize the intense planning involved in preserving a victim’s health, security and quality of life. If you have become, or are poised to become, a primary caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, let an experienced elder care attorney help you start the planning process.
The sooner you establish a comprehensive and organized life care plan, the sooner you can have peace of mind for yourself and your family. Issues like medical directives, power of attorney, financial control and other day-to-day matters all need to be ironed out. Trying to deal with these issues on your own can be incredibly overwhelming. An experienced and qualified attorney can help you be proactive and realistically plan for all of your loved one’s needs. An Alzheimer’s diagnosis often leaves victims and their families feeling powerless; but a life care plan gives you a sense of control when you may feel like you have none and reduce stress and caregiver burden.
The experienced life care planners at Rothamel Bratton will sit down with you, answer your questions and work with you to create a plan that is in your family member’s best interest. Sometimes, as a caregiver, having someone to guide you through the process can take the guesswork out of decision-making – providing the entire family with peace of mind. Contact our office today for a free consultation.