Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
An unfortunate consequence of aging is cognitive decline. At
first, the memory loss may be brief or limited to some information that is
eventually recalled, while at other times, the recall may never happen. Words
such as ‘dementia,’ ‘Alzheimer’s,’ and ‘confusion’ are often thrown around by
family and friends to address grandma’s, mom’s, or dad’s cognitive decline. For
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People are screened for cognitive impairment if they, their
family members, or their medical doctor requests it, or they are 80 and older.
Often times, the family expresses concern about changes in a person’s memory or
thinking to their family doctor, who then recommends a screening. For more
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According to the National
Institute on Aging, cognitive impairment in older adults may be caused by side
effects of medication, metabolic and/or endocrine changes, delirium due to
illness, depression, or dementia. If the cognitive decline is caused by
medication or depression, those signs are reversible with treatment or a change
in medication. Other ailments, like dementia, do not have a cure and the
cognitive impairment progressively declines to one of the most severe forms of
cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s. For more information click here. elder
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About Dementia
Dementia is not a disease. It is a general term used to describe
symptoms associated with a decline in memory or thinking skills that interferes
with a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. The mental functions
affected by dementia are memory, communication and language, ability to
focus and pay attention, reasoning, judgment, and visual perception. The most
common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s causes problems with
memory, thinking, and behavior. The symptoms worsen through time and never get
better. For more information click here. elder care
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Why it is Important to Assess Cognitive Impairment in Older
Adults?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or
Alzheimer’s there will come a time when someone will have to take over medical
care and treatment decisions, financial decisions, and legal decisions for the
affected person. While a person still has cognitive function, they can create
their own advance directive and plan long-term care but changes or
modifications may be more difficult, especially if the cognitive decline is
rapid. For more information click here. child custody Lawyers nj
Checklist of Legal Considerations
The following is a checklist of legal considerations a person diagnosed
with dementia should explore to plan his or her long-term care:
● Create
or update advance directive and plan long-term care
● Ensure
patient has a caregiver or someone to help with medical, legal, and financial
concerns
● Create
or update powers of attorney
● Create
or update wills and trusts documents
● Plan
financing of short and long-term medical care
● Understand
guardianship proceedings
● Understand
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid
Contact a New Jersey Elder Lawyer to Start Planning for Your
Needs as You Age
The Giro Law Firm is a New Jersey and
New York law firm located in Hackensack, NJ that handles a wide range of legal
matters that affect the elderly and disabled populations, including retirement,
guardianship, health care, long-term care planning, Social Security,
Medicare/Medicaid, among other legal services. To request a consultation, click here or call (201) 690-1642.
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