Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder presents families with a plethora of unique challenges, including the burden of legal and financial issues. This resource list offers an overview of useful brochures, handbooks, tool kits, and other materials to help people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers make the most informed decisions. The AD Lib number at the end of each item can be used to search for a full description of the item at ww.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Resources/SearchHealthLiterature, an online database of resources on the ADEAR Center website.

(Related: Alzheimer’s Disease – A Growing Health Concern)

General Resources

Legal and Financial Planning for People With Alzheimer’s Disease

Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Aging. June 2008. 6 p.

Available from Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center. PO Box 8250, Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250. (800) 222-2225; (301) 496-1752; FAX: (301) 495-3334. E-mail:adear@nia.nih.gov. Website: www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers. PRICE: free print and free online access at www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/legaltips.htm

In this brochure you will discover information and advice on legal and financial planning for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Planning for health care and financial arrangements is critical because people with Alzheimer’s disease face the reality of one day losing their ability to think clearly and making decisions for themselves. When possible, advance planning should occur soon after a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease, while the person can still participate in discussions.

(Related: The Doctor’s New Prescription: An Elder Attorney)

This tip sheet discusses the two different kinds of advance directives, the types of professionals who can help with advance planning, general advice for advance planning, resources for low-income families, and steps for getting one’s affairs in order. (AD Lib 10646)

Connections (Newsletter of the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center)

Connections. 15(1-2): 12 p. August 1, 2007.

Available from the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center. PO Box 8250, Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250. (800) 438-4380; FAX: (301) 495-3334. E-mail: adear@nia.nih.gov. Website:www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers. PRICE: free print and free online access atwww.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ResearchInformation/Newsletter

This newsletter provides advice for caregivers and information about new resources made available from the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, a service of the National Institute on Aging (NIA). The feature article navigates issues pertaining to legal and financial planning for people with Alzheimer’s disease, with a focus on the health care team can help, It focuses on the value of starting discussions early and revisiting plans often. In it you will discover information about the roles of attorneys and geriatric care managers, different types f advance directives and financial management documents, resources for low-income families, and resources available from the ADEAR Center and other organizations. (AD Lib 10574)

Getting Your Affairs in Order

Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Aging. May 2006. 1 p. (12 panels).

Available from the National Institute on Aging Information Center (NIAIC). PO Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057. (800) 222-2225; ( 800) 222-4225 (TDD). E-mail: niaic@nia.nih.gov. Website:www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications. PRICE: Free online access atwww.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/affairs.htm

(Related: Elder Law: Approach Medicaid Knowing What Mistakes to Avoid)

In this NIA fact sheet for patients, their families, and the general public you will learn about practical information to assist aging people, their relatives, and friends in planning for the future and managing their legal and financial affairs. Personal and legal records and documents that you need to prepare listed, along with the steps to take for future needs. Resources are listed that offer free legal and financial services to help older people and their families. (AD Lib 01116.)

End of Life Decisions and Concerns: The Resident’s Perspective

Baltimore, MD: Video Press-University of Maryland School of Medicine. 2006. DVD. DVD, 15 min. (col)

Available from the Video Press-University of Maryland, 100 North Greene Street, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21201-1563. (800) 328-7450; FAX: (410) 706-8471. E-mail: videopressmail@som.umaryuland.edu. Website: www.videopress.org . PRICE: $150.00 purchase; $75.00 rental.

In this DVD you will see an elderly resident’s perspective on end-of-life decisions and concerns. All residents reinforce the importance of family and health professional support during the decisions-making process and respecting their wishes. Specific tops in the DVD include: limiting treatment, do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, the medical power of attorney, feeding tubes, and artificial hydration. The presentation was taped on-location at Alice Manor Nursing Home. (AA-M). (AD Lib 10355)

Read more: http://www.dementiatoday.com/legal-and-financial-issues-for-people-with-alzheimers-disease-a-resource-list/