The Plain Truth About Alzheimer's Disease

You have a loved one who's showing signs of memory loss and you're concerned that it might be Alzheimer's disease. Of course, it's important that you talk to your doctor as soon as your loved one starts to show signs of memory loss or dementia.

And even though you may be fearing the worst...that it's Alzheimer's disease...there are any number of less serious reasons why someone might be experiencing memory loss or dementia. Not all of them are related to Alzheimer's...but some of them have very similar symptoms.

In either case, once diagnosed you start to worry about what your next steps should be. You don't know exactly what to do but you do know that you want to provide your loved one with the best possible care. And then you begin to realize the potential cost of caring for someone with a disease that can last for 10 or even 20 years. Can you lose everything to Alzheimer's?

Bear Up, Plan Ahead

So, you've locked down the medical side of things. Now, it's time for you to take crucial steps on the legal and financial side of things. That's because the cost of care for someone with Alzheimer's is incredibly expensive. Studies show that the cost of care in South Florida averages more than $174,000 for an Alzheimer's patient over his or her lifetime.

And while that may sound outrageous...when you consider the cost of adult daycare at $50 per day, the cost for an Alzheimer's Assisted Living or Memory Care community in surrounding areas averages at least $3,000 per month...or that the cost of a South Florida Alzheimer's Nursing Home is typically more than $6,500 per month, you quickly realize that the $174,000 lifetime figure may be low!

Fortunately, there are often programs available to help you, which you should consider immediately. The first step is to consult with a board certified elder law attorney who understands the disease, works with Alzheimer's clients and knows the ins and outs of these programs.

Be Informed! Information is Power It's critical that you and your loved ones have a chance to put the proper planning in place while there is still time. When Alzheimer's or memory loss is part of the equation, unless their wishes have been put down in writing, then the law may say you have no legal merit to act on their behalf.

The law in Florida states the Alzheimer's patient must have the legal capacity (i.e. the ability to understand) the planning steps that are being put into place on their behalf. That's why once diagnosed, the family of an Alzheimer's sufferer needs to act in a timely fashion: while the Alzheimer's patient can participate in the planning. The longer you wait, the greater the risk becomes for a Guardianship proceeding which means court and cost!

Advance Directives are a suite of legal documents that once executed, can put a trusted family member(s) in a position to act and make decisions on the behalf of the mentally incapacitated patient. These documents, if executed well, hold water for legal, financial and healthcare related situations.

Act Now! With Alzheimer's There May Be No Time Like the Present Making informed decisions may become difficult or even impossible over time. The longer you wait, the greater the risk becomes. But with proper planning, you will ensure that you've taken the best steps possible to protect your loved ones and your family's financial security. With Alzheimer's that means retaining an experienced, board certified elder law attorney who will have your loved one's best interests at heart.

Alice Reiter Feld, PA, BCS, CELA

Alice Reiter Feld, P.A., BCS, CELA is a Board-Certified Elder Law Attorney by The Florida Bar and The National Elder Law Foundation. She is AV-Rated, the highest rating afforded to attorneys. With over 25 years' experience, Alice recognizes the proliferation and non-discriminate nature of Alzheimer's disease which affects Americans, both young and old. That's why her firm has made a significant investment in extending, FREE of charge, the best materials and resources that address the unique needs of the caregivers for Alzheimer's patients: http://www.southfloridamemorylawyer.com. She is sought-after to address community and professional organizations as a staunch advocate for Alzheimer's awareness. If you are interested in inviting Alice Reiter to speak to your group or organization please forward your request to: info@florida-elderlaw.com or call: 954.726.6602.