One in three seniors will die with either Alzheimers or dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. As of 2015, approximately 5.3 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease. Approximately 200,000 of those who have been diagnosed under under the age of 65 and have younger onset Alzheimers. Every 67 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops the condition. 
Providing care for people at Alzheimers or other dementia can be very costly, as most people with memory issues will eventually need to live in a skilled nursing facility. An experienced elder law attorney at Unsworth Law can help individuals and families to engage in Medicaid planning so that assets are protected while Medicaid covers nursing home costs.
It is also important for people to have an estate plan in place, including creating a power of attorney to name someone as an agent and creating an advanced healthcare directive to provide directions on lifesaving medical care. This plan needs to be in place before dementia develops so that patients can be properly cared for and their estates managed.
In addition to the practicalities and legalities of caring for a patient with dementia, it is also essential to do everything possible to maintain quality of life for dementia patients. Recently, Cathedral Square reported on a new cafe that had been created in Burlington that is targeted towards people who have memory issues and towards their family and friends. The cafe provides a place of comfort and joy for patients and their loved ones.
New Burlington Cafe is Aimed at Those With Memory Issues
According to Cathedral Square, the new cafe in Burlington is called Memory Cafe. The goal of the cafe is to provide a place for those with memory issues to have time with their loved ones where they are not burdened with the stresses associated with caregiving.
The inaugural cafe opened in Thayer House. When the reporter for Cathedral Square visited the cafe, she indicated that she was welcomed by a diverse group of people ranging in age from people in their 30s up to people in their 90s. Barriers based on age were removed in this setting and everyone was smiling and friendly. Those at the cafe were in a circle with music playing and everyone was singing. Eventually, the music stopped and people conversed and made connections, having a good time without the worries that can often accompany being out in the community.
A month later, upon returning, the reporter saw many of them same people who had returned to the cafe. The cafe meets on the third Saturday of every month at the same place between 10 AM and 12:00 PM and it is open to the public with no charge for admission. Both patients with memory issues and their caregivers come, and different programs are held at the monthly sessions- many of which have been centered around musical performances.
Having a place like this cafe is important because life with memory issues can be difficult both for seniors and for those who care for them. Taking care of a family member with dementia is a full-time job and it can sometimes be difficult to ensure that seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s or related conditions are able to do activities that they can enjoy. Caregivers need to be provided with support, including connections with others in similar situations, while seniors need to have the opportunity to remain a part of a community even when their memory has begun to fade.
Contact an Elder Law Attorney If You are Concerned About Memory issues
Alzheimer’s or dementia can happen to anyone, at any time- although seniors are at the greatest risk of developing memory problems. You need to make sure that you and your loved ones have a plan in place in case a diagnosis of dementia occurs. Unsworth Law understands that it is stressful to think about developing a serious illness, but the situation can be much worse for you and your family if you do not have a comprehensive estate plan in place.
Our elder law firm is focused on meeting the needs of all seniors and helping to develop a plan in case of memory issues or other health issues. You can learn more about the estate planning process by joining us for a free seminar. You can also get personalized advice on how you can plan ahead to protect yourself and your family in case a serious health problem arises. Give us a call at (802) 879-7133 or contact us online now to speak with an Essex Junction elder law attorney and get started on creating your estate plan.
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