Money
and Legal Matters
It
is important for the person in the early stage of the
disease to be part of the decision-making about her financial
and legal affairs while she is capable of making decisions
and signing legal papers.
Wills
and related documents
Some
important documents should be put in place as soon as
possible after the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is
made. This will let the person with Alzheimer's disease
be involved in making these decisions. And it will help
the caregiver and family members be aware of the person's
wishes.
The
names of these documents vary from province to province,
but they include:
- a
will that states how the person's property should be
divided after her death
- a
document that names a substitute decision-maker who
can make decisions about financial and legal matters
on behalf of the person with Alzheimer's disease when
she is no longer able
- a
document that names a substitute decision-maker for
future health-care decisions
- a "living
will" or "advance directive" that describes
the person's wishes for health-care and end-of-life
care in the future; this can help families make difficult
decisions that may arise during the course of the disease
when the person is no longer able to make these decisions
for herself
Contact
a lawyer for specific information about the legal requirements
in your province. Or contact your provincial Alzheimer
Society for more information.
Other
legal and financial documents
In
planning for the future, gather the following legal and
financial documents and information:
- bank
accounts
- credit
cards
- loans
and mortgages
- insurance
policies (life, auto, home, disability)
- pension
plans and Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs)
- investments
- real
estate, home, business, car ownership
- prepaid
funeral arrangements and/or cemetery plot
If
the person is unable to provide this information herself,
other sources for this information include:
- personal
paperwork (such as cheque books, monthly bank statements
or investment statements)
- bank
manager
- lawyer
- financial
consultant
- previous
employers
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