It’s distressing to hear about situations where vulnerable adults, especially those with Alzheimer’s/dementia, may face financial exploitation or manipulation by family members or caregivers. Here are some important points to consider:
1. Compassionate Care for Alzheimer’s/ Dementia Patients: Caregivers of individuals with dementia must prioritize empathy, patience, and understanding. Alzheimer’s/Dementia can be a challenging condition that affects cognitive abilities, memory, and decision-making skills. Compassionate care involves providing support, reassurance, and maintaining the dignity and autonomy of the individual as much as possible.
2. Preventing Financial Exploitation: Financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, including those with Alzheimer’s/dementia, is a serious concern. It’s crucial to establish safeguards to protect their financial interests. This may involve appointing trusted individuals to manage their finances, setting up legal protections such as power of attorney, and regularly monitoring financial transactions to detect any signs of exploitation.
3. Legal Capacity and Changing a Will: One of the ethical and legal complexities surrounding dementia is the issue of legal capacity. A person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia may still have periods of lucidity and may be capable of making decisions, including changes to their will, during those times. However, as the condition progresses, their ability to understand and make informed decisions may decline.
Whether a person with Alzheimer’s/dementia can legally change their will depends on their level of cognitive function at the time of making the change. If they are deemed to lack the mental capacity to understand the consequences of their actions, any changes made to their will may be challenged on the grounds of incapacity or undue influence.
4. Seeking Legal Advice: If there are concerns about financial exploitation or changes to a will made by someone with Alzheimer’s/dementia, it’s advisable to seek legal advice. An attorney with experience in elder law can assess the situation, determine the individual’s capacity to make decisions, and provide guidance on potential legal actions to protect their interests.
5. Support Networks and Resources: Family members, caregivers, and community support networks can play a crucial role in safeguarding the well-being of individuals with Alzheimer’s/dementia. Open communication, regular check-ins, and involvement in support groups or educational programs can help address concerns and provide valuable resources for navigating the challenges associated with dementia care.
In summary, caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s/dementia should prioritize compassionate care while also taking steps to prevent financial exploitation and ensuring that any legal decisions, such as changes to a will, are made in the best interests of the individual and in accordance with their capacity to understand. The individual cannot be forced into making any changes they do not understand yet may agree to anything placed in front of them.
DISCLAIMER – I am a Registered Nurse, not a doctor and the information provided is from trusted resources. Should you need more information you can find them at the following references I have utilized:
- Alzheimer’s by Medicine X-USA on Facebook
- https://www.alz.org
- Alzheimer’ Disease Treatments https://www.aarp.org
- The 36 Hour Day by Nancy L Mace MA & Peter Robins MPH
- The Changing Brain by Teepa Snow MS OTRL FAOTA
- AARP – Dementia Resource Guide
- DailyCaring.com
- CDC.gov
- Medicare.gov
- Hadley Vlahos RN The In-between Unforgettable Encounters During Lifes Final Moments