Coping With Alzheimer’s

Maybe you have a loved one showing signs of memory loss and you’re concerned that it might be Alzheimer’s Disease. Or perhaps your loved one has already been diagnosed. In either case, you’re no doubt concerned about getting them good care and wondering where you’ll find the strength to cope with a disease that can sometimes last for 10 or even 20 years.

Even if the medical side of things is being handled, there are several crucial financial and legal issues you should consider immediately. For example, the cost of care for someone with Alzheimer’s averages more than $174,000 over his or her lifetime. And while that may sound excessive, if you consider that the cost of adult daycare is often $50 per day or more, an Alzheimer’s assisted living facility averages nearly $3,500 per month and an Alzheimer’s nursing home typically costs $7,500 per month or more, you can see that the $174,000 lifetime figure may actually be on the low side.

Fortunately, there are programs available to help you if you act now and plan ahead. The first step is to consult with an attorney who works with Alzheimer’s clients. It’s critical that you and your loved ones have a chance to put the proper planning in place while there is still time. The simple fact is that none of us knows how much time we have left. When Alzheimer’s or memory loss is part of the equation, however, life becomes more complicated. You may think you know exactly what your spouse or loved one would want, but if those wishes have not been put down in writing, the law may not recognize your “knowledge.” In legal jargon, it might be considered hearsay and without legal merit.

Contact our East Bay Elder Law Firm

East Bay Elder Law Firm, The Law Offices of Osofsky & Osofsky has helped hundreds of families cope with the care giving, financial and legal burdens associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. We can do the same for you.