June 2020
Memory loss often is a natural part of aging, but sometimes it indicates a more serious issue. In any case, when an older loved one starts to exhibit signs that he or she cannot remember things, it is essential to get him or her help. The Mayo Clinic explains that some memory loss as you age is normal. However, it should not impact your life in a negative way. You should be able to continue living normally with only occasional memory lapses that do not get worse over time. It is common, for example, to lose your car keys or need to write something down to remember it. Signs of something more serious When memory loss starts to impact a person’s life, though, it becomes a more serious issue that requires medical care. You may notice your loved one is forgetting very important things, such as turning the stove off after using it or how to get home when he or she goes to the grocery store. These issues indicate that there is an underlying medical issue. Dementia Dementia is due to a loss of functions in the brain that impact judgment, memory, language and thinking. You may notice this in a loved one if he or she starts having lapses that cause safety issues or create problems with his or her ability to function in a normal manner. Dementia will usually get worse over time. It can point to a variety of medical issues. While it may be a sign of Alzheimer’s, it could also be due to a vitamin deficiency, a side effect of medication, a result of hypothyroidism, a side effect of a urinary tract infection or a symptom of an infection in the brain. In any case, if you notice dementia in your loved one, you should get him or her to a doctor as soon as possible. Some of these underlying medical conditions are 100% treatable, and the memory issues will clear up upon treatment.
As your parents age, it may fall on you to look out for them. It is especially important that you help them avoid scams designed to take advantage of senior citizens and steal their money. Your parents may be sharp in other aspects, but scammers are very sophisticated and like to play on emotions when they try to get money or other assets from seniors. Forbes suggests that you take a caring and informative approach when talking to your parents about scams . Help them to understand why someone may do this. It is typical for scammers to target older people because they are more likely to have large amounts of disposable income. In addition, they may be less aware of new scams because they do not use the same technology or stay on top of scams like younger generations. Telltale signs Teach your parents about common signs that something is a scam . Make sure they understand that government agencies will never call out of the blue and generally will alert them with something in the mail first. Explain that anyone calling them should already have their information and should not have to ask for basics, like their address and name. Help them understand that some scams can seem incredibly realistic, such as calls from a relative in trouble. However, anyone asking for payment through gift cards or other odd methods is not legitimate. Also, warn your parents about calls that look local but have callers with foreign accents. Explain how number spoofing works. Empower them If your parents think that it is rude to let the phone ring or hang up on someone, then give them the power to combat a scammer and figure out for themselves if someone is trying to scam them through specific questions. Tell them that they should always ask for a company or organization name, address and phone number. Often, this is enough to scare a scam caller.
Estate planning in Seattle offers families the means to make provisions to preserve their wealth, provide for their relatives and secure their legacies. When you have loved ones with disabilities to consider, you need to include arrangements that go beyond the basic scope of life care planning. As important as it is for you to consider every possible contingency, including provisions for a special needs child or relative comes with its own set of challenges. Estate planning with special needs considerations requires a critical eye to ensure that your disabled children are properly cared for and preserve their eligibility for certain state and federal benefit programs . To make sure that your special needs arrangements coordinate with your estate plans and adequately protect your kids, consider the following pointers: Incorporate a special needs trusts There is a strong possibility that your children may qualify for public benefits. Create a special needs trust to preserve their eligibility and protect their inheritances. When structured properly, a special needs trust houses the assets and funds your children currently have and will inherit; the trust also prevents mismanagement. Invest in life insurance Anticipating your special children’s needs for life after your death is not easy. Make sure you have enough money and resources in your estate to provide for them financially to offset potential issues that may arise regarding their care and well-being. The cost of health care and living will continue to increase after your death. Life insurance can help you to bridge any financial gaps regarding their care. Make a care plan Though you could allow the trustee of the special needs fund to make decisions regarding your children’s care and disbursement of assets and funds, it is easier and more convenient to include a letter of intent that highlights specific instructions on how you want your children to benefit from their oversight. Your trustee may have good intentions and mean well, but documenting your wishes and providing guidance can help you trustee to provide your children with the utmost care that aligns with your wishes and protect their future. With careful planning and the right resources, you can ensure that your estate plans and special needs kids are set in the event that you are no longer around to provide them with the life they deserve.
