Legal Considerations for Alzheimer’s Care: Planning for the Future

Legal documents that should be in place for Alzheimer’s care include a durable power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, living will, and will or trust.

A durable power of attorney is a legal document that allows a designated person to make financial and legal decisions on behalf of the person with Alzheimer’s if they become incapacitated.

A healthcare power of attorney is a legal document that allows a designated person to make medical decisions on behalf of the person with Alzheimer’s if they become unable to make their own decisions.

A living will is a legal document that outlines the person’s wishes for end-of-life care and specifies what medical treatments they do or do not want in certain situations.

A will or trust is a legal document that outlines how the person’s assets and property will be distributed after their death. It is important to have a will or trust in place to ensure that the person’s wishes are carried out and to avoid legal disputes among family members.

Having these legal documents in place can help ensure that the person with Alzheimer’s receives the care and treatment they want and need, even if they are no longer able to make their own decisions. It can also help avoid family disputes and legal challenges regarding the person’s care and assets.

These legal documents should be put in place as soon as possible after the person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. It is important to have these documents in place before the person’s cognitive abilities decline and they become unable to make their own decisions.

The person with Alzheimer’s, their spouse or partner, adult children or other family members, and an attorney specializing in elder law should be involved in the planning process. It may also be helpful to involve healthcare providers and financial advisors.