Frankly, my dear... don't wait until it is too late!

We all lose our glasses or keys on occasion. That is the sign of a busy life. What you should watch for, however, are the signs that may indicate the early stages of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. If you detect such signs, do not panic, but rather consult your medical doctor and then start a discussion with your lawyer right away to formulate an estate plan. An estate plan encompasses not only how to handle your assets after you pass away, but also important decisions about how you want to live and handle your assets in your final years.

 My clients have stated that one of the earliest signs of dementia was that their loved one began having trouble driving or completing daily tasks; for instance, the loved one got lost driving to a familiar location, got stopped by the police for unsafe driving, or started driving down a one-way street in the wrong direction. Occasionally, a family has reported that the loved one could no longer work the microwave or television remote without assistance. Also, if your loved one is having difficulty handling their finances or playing card games, it is time to have a doctor perform an assessment.

Other signs of dementia may include paranoia, a change in their mood or their personality.  Dementia often affects a person’s ability to concentrate or to make and follow a plan. The person may seem more paranoid or withdrawn out of a fear that someone will detect their problem. Although the most common sign is a loss of memory or the ability to remember the right word, it may manifest itself by forgetting appointments or struggling to understand when they are supposed to do something, such as take their medicine. The person may ask the same question over and over because they have forgotten the answer or cannot comprehend the answer.  Of course, people with dementia have trouble with abstract reasoning or critical thinking and cannot visualize diagrams or work out the sequence of items in their mind. Therefore, they may seem confused during discussions or unable to follow a train of thought.

If you have noticed any of these signs in your loved one or your aging parents, I am happy to talk with your family about your situation.  We can make a plan that will help your family and not embarrass them. Frankly, my dear . . . don’t wait until it is too late.