Someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds, and by 2030, it is expected that roughly 78 million people will have this cruel, life-changing illness. Those are some sobering statistics, and perhaps the scariest part is losing the ability to make your own decisions and realizing you need help. You may even be angry or depressed and wondering, “Why me?” or “What does my future hold now?” These are normal reactions, and while no one can predict whether they or a loved one will be impacted by dementia, everyone can take steps now to protect their wishes and prepare for the future. This is where a Dementia Directive can help.

There are many end-of-life documents to consider when it comes to comprehensive and thoughtful estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, burial directives, HIPAA authorizations, and more. Even we can admit the list can become rather long, so much so that many people overlook something as simple as a Dementia Directive.

While not a required document, we often recommend it as a way to provide additional guidance about a person’s wishes if they were to ever develop Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia that affect their ability to make or communicate decisions.

More About the Dementia Directive

First things first, dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough that you lose the ability to understand what is going on around you. As the disease progresses, symptoms affect memory, thinking, problem-solving, language, the ability to eat and walk, and even behavior. You will likely need help from others for basic body functions, and life, as you know it, will be forever changed.

There is no cure for dementia, and the process can take anywhere from five to 20 years. Again, none of us knows for sure if we will develop dementia. That said, one of the most important questions to consider now is what kind of medical care you would want if this diagnosis impacted you or a family member. A Dementia Directive is a free downloadable form that allows you or a loved one to spell out how wishes such as the following:

• How much medical care you would want if you were diagnosed with dementia.
• What you would want the focus of that care to look like.
• How long you would want to be kept alive.
• How long you would consider hospice-type care to keep you comfortable.

The Dementia Directive was developed by a team of healthcare professionals, led by Dr. Barak Gaster, and can be added to your existing advance directive and shared with others. The document is broken down in a way that allows participants to review each stage of dementia and mark one box under each stage that most closely fits what they would want the goals of their care to be. From there, they can print out the document and share their wishes with their closest family members and a healthcare provider.

The link to the form is above. As always, our team at Leigh Hilton PLLC is here to answer any questions you may have about this or any other estate planning need or document.

Call Leigh Hilton PLLC Today!!

Being diagnosed with dementia is a challenge that no one is prepared for. But accepting it is the first step and could set you and your family up for an easier road as you continue on your journey. Our goal was to build a practice with a team of professionals who work together to have your back at all times—whether that means putting steps in place to protect you and your loved ones or offering practical advice. Leigh Hilton PLLC wants to be your first call every time for any estate planning or elder law need. Call us today!