What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
“Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.” Alzheimer’s symptoms usually appear in a person’s mid-60s. And 2022 estimates suggest that more than 6.5 million Americans may have this devastating disease.
To assist you in this difficult process, our firm has created a 36-page “Guide to Alzheimer’s Care” and our 4-page “Caring and Communicating with the Alzheimer’s Patient” guide. You can either download these guides through our website under the “Resources” tab, call our office at (321) 729-0087, or email us at [email protected] for a printed copy.
Although Alzheimer’s disease is currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death, studies over the last few years reveal that deaths that are linked to Alzheimer’s are underreported. Findings show that in many instances, deaths are attributed to health conditions such as inhalation pneumonia that result from the effects of Alzheimer’s as the body loses its ability to function effectively. The findings suggest that the deaths resulting from Alzheimer’s disease can be attributed to many more people than previously reported. Researchers believe that if reported accurately, Alzheimer’s disease would rank as the third leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer.
A review of the Alzheimer’s Association 2022 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures reveals astonishingly high annual costs associated with the disease. Estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars, the cost of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase exponentially, as are the numbers of people diagnosed with the disease.
Caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease is not only expensive but can be exhausting. The patient with Alzheimer’s will experience the disease process in different ways at various stages. Caregiver responsibilities can range from paying bills and balancing the checkbook to bathing and dressing.
Planning for someone who has Alzheimer’s can be complicated. Proper planning in advance can help alleviate many frustrations as the disease progresses. Our elder law attorneys can make this difficult process as easy as possible for you so that you can concentrate on giving your loved one the care they need.
The time to act is now. With proper planning, you will ensure that things are handled according to your wishes and that you’ve taken the best steps possible to protect your loved ones and your family’s financial security.
Please explore our website to learn more about our practice areas in estate planning and elder law, including special needs planning, dementia/Alzheimer’s planning, and probate. Please contact us to meet with one of our experienced attorneys.