Already, 5.2 million Americans have Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. Those numbers will jump to 13.8 million by 2050 …
The latest numbers are in from the Alzheimer’s Association, and reports show one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. That is a rather disconcerting statistic, so it only makes sense to make your health care and legal plans now before it’s too late.
This new statistic – hardly alone in a field of such startling stats – comes from a new report by the Alzheimer’s Association. This was discussed in a recent article in The Washington Post titled “Beyond memory loss, report finds 1 in 3 seniors dies with dementia that can impede other care.” Beyond these statistics is the realization that these conditions have a likelihood to impede other care and render a loved one vulnerable to further conditions. For example, pneumonia can be caused by poor motor skills (difficulty swallowing), complications to medication, and even the inability to understand and communicate regarding one’s health care matters.
All told, Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death, given that it is listed as the underlying condition on death certificates.
So, what should you do now? Realize that Alzheimer’s and dementia are very real and insidious threats to the health and well-being of yourself or your senior loved ones. Get your ducks in a row now, especially when it comes to advance health directives and estate plans.
When planning for this sensitive area of your health care and estate, make sure you engage competent legal counsel to help you navigate the applicable laws.
Please visit our website for information on elder law and estate planning issues, and sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter. The archive on our website contains numerous blog posts on these legal areas as well. You can also “friend” us on Facebook (R Christine Brown) to receive periodic posts on elder law issues.
Reference: The Washington Post (March 18, 2013) “Beyond memory loss, report finds 1 in 3 seniors dies with dementia that can impede other care”