As people are living longer lives in California, their health does not always keep up with the elapsed time. Dementia is a term that is being heard more and more often. Sadly, it can negatively impact the care and well-being of those suffering from the malady. There have been many names in the news of elderly celebrities who are embroiled in legal battles over their care and finances. Such names as Tim Conway, Casey Kasem and Nichelle Nichols are all subjects of legal disputes with their families over such things as health care directives.
When a person becomes incapacitated and unable to make medical or financial decisions on his or her own, these decisions can fall to family members who may not agree on the best way to proceed. When this happens, a legal battle can ensue. Such a battle seldom benefits the person who is suffering from dementia.
While facing mortality and growing older may not be pleasant subjects, establishing a health care directive can save a family the pain of a disagreement over care. Communicating one’s wishes in the event that one becomes incapacitated can be a great gift that an aging family member can bestow on younger family members. It can save the expense, grief and discord of a family battle.
Health care directives can easily be drawn up by an experienced estate planning attorney in California. A lawyer can review a person’s health and financial situation and suggest guidelines to help one prepare for possible contingencies. Doing so will allow a person to relax and enjoy his or her later years with the knowledge that his or her physical and financial situations are protected.
