When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it can be very stressful and upsetting. It is important, though, to try to stay calm in such situations and address important issues such as estate planning before your loved one’s health declines further.
Advance health care directives
Many people in Maryland have preferences when it comes to their end of life care. For this reason, it is important to have an advance directives for health care in place. These documents outline what health care decisions a person wants made if they are no longer competent to make these decisions on their own. However, an advance health care directive must be made while a person is legally of sound mind to do so. Some examples of advanced directives include living wills, a durable power of attorney for health care and a do not resuscitate order.
Advance directives for finances
Similar to advance health care directives, advance directives for finances outline a person’s wishes regarding how their finances and assets will be managed once they are unable to do so on their own. It is important that these directives are made while a person is of sound mind to legally to do so. Some examples of advance directives for finances include a durable power of attorney for finances and a living trust.
Elder law attorneys may be a useful resource
Understanding the complexities of estate planning can be overwhelming, especially in light of a diagnosis such as Alzheimer’s. It is important to address these estate planning issues is sooner rather than later, so that your loved one can express their wishes while they are still able to do so. Elder law attorneys in Maryland can help those who wish to help a loved one execute an estate plan before it is too late.
