Imagine you are in you early 70s and facing an illness such as Alzheimer's Disease, which is causing you to become forgetful. Sometimes you find yourself driving to a familiar place, but forget en route where you are headed. Or you tell a story and stop in the middle, having forgotten what you were talking about.  Keeping track of your family's finances has gotten to be too much for you.

Is Alzheimer's Disease a Normal Part of Aging?

Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age. Most of us notice some slowed thinking and occasional problems remembering certain things. However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work are not a normal part of aging. They may be a sign that brain cells are failing.  The reality is that you know the day is coming when your wife and your children will need to take care of a lot more than they currently do - including the finances. 

Has your family relied on you to take care of all the financial planning, investing, etc? If so, ask yourself:

* Does your spouse have access to all your basic bank accounts?

* Does your spouse have Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy to protect you?

* Does your spouse understand the complexities of your investment accounts or if there is enough money for long-term care?

It might be time to let some family members in on the health care and financial situation so you can be assured that they will be well taken care of.  Meet with a trusted advisor - your family Doctor, your family Lawyer, and/or your Financial Advisor.  Make sure your family has the information they need to handle the details of your health care needs and the family finances, how to access the money, how much they need to live on, and what will be available for health care expenses and long-term care in a nursing facility.

Coping with Changes Caused by Alzheimer's Disease

No two people experience Alzheimer’s disease in the same way. If you have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, or if you are experiencing changes in your memory, the first thing you should know is that you are not alone. There is a lot of help and support available. The Alzheimer's Association has a wonderful web site, you will find tips and resources to increase your comfort, allow you to remain active, and help you cope.

• Taking Care of Yourself
   
• Familes and Friends
   
• Coping with Changes
   
• Plan Ahead
   
• 10 Tips to Maintain Independence
  
• Making Job Decisions
   
• Ways to Get Involved

Now that you know your spouse and children have taken the reins financially, fully informed of the family's financial situation -- it will be a seamless transition as you begin to focus on your health care needs. But more important, we hope you will find the inspiration to make your years ahead the best that they can be.  Learn about programs and services available in your area, including support groups and educational workshops.

About the Author:

My name is Dana Cutter and I am Founder and Editor of Medicare Sherpa. Our staff spends their days searching the Internet for the best content and advice on retirement.  On our site you will find articles on Social Security, Medicare Benefits, Prescription Drug Benefits and more. Please feel fee to send me an email with ideas for content, site improvements or general help launching your online persona. I hope you will consider joining and I am looking forward to reading more about you online.

TrackBack URI for this entry

0 Comments

Email Name		Comment smaller | bigger
		Subscribe via email (Registered users only) I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage. Write the displayed characters Add Comment