In This Issue

	Signs of Dementia
	If you answer yes to any of these questions, Hurley Elder Care Law can help
	Life Care Planning Goals
	The 2007 Hurley Elder Care Law Handbook of Resources

Signs of Dementia

	The holiday season is upon us. It is a time for giving thanks and spending time with those we love. Families travel far and wide to gather together to share in the holiday spirit. Many times these family gatherings bring to light a change is a parent’s behavior. Could your parent have dementia, the severe cognitive impairment resulting from certain diseases that affect the brain? The early signs of dementia can be very subtle and may not be immediately obvious. Early symptoms may vary a great deal. Usually, though, people first seem to notice a problem with memory, for example, remembering recent events, names or words. Other common symptoms can include confusion, personality change, apathy and withdrawal, and loss of ability to do every day tasks.
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If you answer yes to any of these questions, Hurley Elder Care Law can help.

		Has the elder been diagnosed with a mentally or physically debilitating disorder such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, stroke or a decline in functional capacity?
		Is the elder isolated due to the recent death of a spouse, or have family that either lives too far away or is too busy to provide adequate care?
		Is the elder soon to be discharged into a care facility or currently receiving in-home care?
		Does the elder have a variety of healthcare providers and need coordination and advocacy for quality care?
		Does the elder seem unusually concerned about costs of medication and services, indicating he or she may be having financial troubles?
		Does the elder have assets that fall between $50,000 and $400,000 – enough to finance a short stay in a care facility but not enough for an extended stay?
		Does the elder have a spouse whose financial needs must be considered in light of the elder’s medical condition?

Life Care Planning Goals

1. Meeting the elders’ immediate health care and long-term care needs.
2. Making sure the elder/family is making good health care and long-term care decisions.
3. Helping the elder/family sort through the maze of their long-term care options including residential options.
4. Identifying and accessing public benefits and resources to pay for care should the elder meet the qualifying criteria.
5. Help with asset management, including the burden of home ownership and personal property.
6. Providing the entire family the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved one is monitored by a team that combines legal and financial expertise with specialized knowledge of the elders’ physical, mental and emotional health.
7. Ensuring the highest level of independence the elder can achieve, while ensuring safety.

Signs of Dementia

Families often fail to recognize these symptoms. They mistakenly assume that these behaviors are a normal part of the aging process. Frequently, symptoms develop gradually and go may unnoticed for a long period of time. Additionally, when spouses are involved, the well spouse will often cover for the ill spouse making the behaviors that much harder to recognize. Warning Signs Older adults often begin to experience occasional memory lapses and to express concerns about their memory as they age. It is important, however, to distinguish between memory changes related to normal, healthy aging and cognitive impairment resulting from disease. Difficulty with Language We all have trouble finding the right word sometimes, but a person with dementia may forget simple words or substitute inappropriate words within a sentence making it difficult to understand. They also may repeat the same information each time they see you. Memory Loss that Affects Daily Functions We all forget a name or an appointment occasionally, but remember them later. A person with dementia will forget things more often: family members or friend’s names, store names or phone numbers. Often they will not remember them at all. Disorientation to Time and Place It is normal to forget what day of the week it is for a moment, but people with dementia can become lost in their own neighborhood, not knowing where they are or how to get home. Changes in Mood or Behavior Everyone becomes sad or moody from time to time. Someone with dementia can have rapid mood swings, for no apparent reason. They can become confused, extremely suspicious or withdrawn. Poor or Decreased Judgment Dementia affects a person’s memory and concentration, and this in turn affects judgment. Many activities, such as driving, require good judgment and when this ability is affected, the person will be a risk, not only to him or herself, but also to others on the road. Misplacing Items We all have lost our cell phone or misplaced our keys. A person with dementia may misplace things and they are usually lost in inappropriate places. Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks Busy people can be so distracted from time to time that they may leave the peas on the stove and only remember to serve them at the end of the meal. A person with dementia might prepare a meal and not only forget to serve it, but also forget they made it. Leaving the stove or oven on and causing a fire is a common danger for persons suffering from dementia. Changes in Personality People’s personalities can change slightly with age. But a person with dementia can become suspicious or fearful, or apathetic and uncommunicative. They may also become uninhibited, over familiar or more outgoing than normal. Loss of Initiative It is normal to tire of housework, business activities or social obligations. The person with dementia may lose interest in previously enjoyed activities, or become very passive and require cues prompting them to become involved. Problems with Abstract Thinking Balancing a check book may be difficult for many people. Someone with dementia could forget completely what the numbers are and what needs to be done with them. When you see a family member for the first time in many months, remember that many conditions have symptoms similar to dementia, so it is important not to assume that someone has dementia just because some of the above symptoms are present. Strokes, depression, alcoholism, infections, hormone disorders, nutritional deficiencies and brain tumors can all cause dementia-like symptoms. Many of these conditions can be treated. If you suspect your loved one may have dementia the best place to start is to visit a physician. Early diagnosis and intervention can slow the progression of the disease. Some people may be resistant to the idea of visiting their doctor. They may not realize that there is a problem or may be in denial. There is also the additional fear of having their self diagnosis confirmed. One of the most effective ways to overcome this obstacle is to find a physical problem to prompt a visit to a doctor, preferably a check-up for a symptom they are willing to acknowledge, such as a headache or failing eyesight. Be sure to provide a lot of reassurance. A caring, calm attitude at this time can help overcome the person’s very real worries and fears. Always remember that the sooner action is taken, the more treatment options are available. Resources: Alzheimer's Association, USA Better Health