What do I Need to Know About Aging and Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer’s is a frightening word.

Aging often means declining health.

With modern medicine people are living longer.

According to a recent The (Bryan TX) Eagle article titled “Alzheimer’s disease: Five common myths, busted,” this often includes a decline in mental health.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are a strong possibility.

In fact, one in three seniors will have dementia or Alzheimer’s before they die.

What do you should know about Alzheimer’s?

Be aware of memory loss.

Aging brains mean memory loss is fairly normal.

This does not always indicate Alzheimer’s.

But it can.

If memory loss affects daily living, you should get tested for Alzheimer’s or dementia.

You should also be aware of forgetting words or an inability to communicate.

Alzheimer’s cannot be reversed.

Alzheimer’s cannot be cured.

However, you can slow the degeneration.

Catching it early can help with managing symptoms and creating safeguards.

You do not have to be old to have Alzheimer’s.

Early onset is not common, but it can happen.

What is early onset Alzheimer’s?

It occurs when the disease affects those in their 40’s or 50’s.

Only 5 percent of Alzheimer’s cases are diagnosed before age 65.

Alzheimer’s patients can still live life.

Alzheimer’s does not affect everyone the same.

It is typically divided into three stages.

What are the stages?

The first is the “mild” stage.

The patient can live normally with just a little care in this stage.

The next stage is “moderate”.

You will require more care.

The final stage is the “severe” stage.

You should protect your finances.

Once you receive a diagnosis, you should begin protecting your finances.

How?

Make a list of all your financial accounts.

Next you should review titles on accounts.

Determine how you will allocate money for your medical treatments.

Work with an experienced estate planning attorney to create a General Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Decisions and an Advance Health Care Directive (consisting of a Healthcare Treatment Directive and a General Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions). While you are at it, be sure to update your Last Will and Testament along with your Revocable Living Trust (if you have one).

Seeking help from experienced and trustworthy professionals will help make a hard diagnosis easier for you and your family.

Reference: The (Bryan TX) Eagle (October 4, 2018) “Alzheimer’s disease: Five common myths, busted”