by Thomas D. Begley, Jr., CELA<\/p>\n
Background on Alzheimer\u2019s<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n According to the American Alzheimer\u2019s Association, Alzheimer\u2019s disease is a progressive brain disorder that damages and eventually destroys brain cells, leading to memory loss and changes in thinking and other brain functions. It usually develops slowly and gradually gets worse as brain function declines and brain cells eventually wither and die. Ultimately, Alzheimer\u2019s is fatal and currently, there is no cure. An estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer\u2019s disease in 2015. Thirty-six percent are age 85 or older, 43% are between 75 and 84, 16% are between 65 and 74, and 4% are under age 65.<\/p>\n Once an individual is diagnosed with early Alzheimer\u2019s, what steps should be taken?<\/p>\n Estate Planning Documents<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Assuming the client still has mental capacity, the first step would be to review any existing estate planning documents and bring them up to date, or if there are no such documents, (more…)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Thomas D. Begley, Jr., CELA Background on Alzheimer\u2019s According to the American Alzheimer\u2019s Association, Alzheimer\u2019s disease is a progressive brain disorder that damages and eventually destroys brain cells, leading to memory loss and changes in thinking and other brain…<\/span><\/p>\n