Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

1. Cognitive Decline in Older Adults An unfortunate consequence of aging is cognitive decline. At first, the memory loss may be brief or limited to some information that is eventually recalled, while at other times, the recall may never happen. Words such as ‘dementia,’ ‘Alzheimer’s,’ and ‘confusion’ are often thrown around by family and friends to address grandma’s, mom’s, or dad’s cognitive decline. For more information click here.elder care attorney nj, elder care lawyers in nj People are screened for cognitive impairment if they, their family members, or their medical doctor requests it, or they are 80 and older. Often times, the family expresses concern about changes in a person’s memory or thinking to their family doctor, who then recommends a screening. For more information click here.elder law new jersey, elder law attorney new jersey According to the National Institute on Aging, cognitive impairment in older adults may be caused by side effects of medication, metabolic and/or endocrine changes, delirium due to illness, depression, or dementia. If the cognitive decline is caused by medication or depression, those signs are reversible with treatment or a change in medication. Other ailments, like dementia, do not have a cure and the cognitive impairment progressively declines to one of the most severe forms of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s. For more information click here.elderlaw attorney nj, elder care attorney near me About Dementia Dementia is not a disease. It is a general term used to describe symptoms associated with a decline in memory or thinking skills that interferes with a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. The mental functions affected by dementia are memory, communication and language, ability to focus and pay attention, reasoning, judgment, and visual perception. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. The symptoms worsen through time and never get better. For more information click here.elder care lawyers near me,Asset Protection Lawyers near me Why it is Important to Assess Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults? If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s there will come a time when someone will have to take over medical care and treatment decisions, financial decisions, and legal decisions for the affected person. While a person still has cognitive function, they can

2. create their own advance directive and plan long-term care but changes or modifications may be more difficult, especially if the cognitive decline is rapid. For more information click here.childcustody Lawyers nj Checklist of Legal Considerations The following is a checklist of legal considerations a person diagnosed with dementia should explore to plan his or her long-term care: • Consult with an experienced New Jersey Elder Lawyerto start planning today. • Create or update advance directive and plan long-term care • Ensure patient has a caregiver or someone to help with medical, legal, and financial concerns • Create or update powers of attorney • Create or update wills and trusts documents • Plan financing of short and long-term medical care • Understand guardianship proceedings • Understand Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid Contact a New Jersey Elder Lawyer to Start Planning for Your Needs as You Age The Giro Law Firmis a New Jersey and New York law firm located in Hackensack, NJ that handles a wide range of legal matters that affect the elderly and disabled populations, including retirement, guardianship, health care, long-term care planning, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, among other legal services. To request a consultation, click hereor call (201) 690-1642. For more information click here.child custody attorneys near me,Elder Care Law Firm