We had just laid out a generous penny for new-and-improved wills and were in the process of setting up new and ridiculous life insurance polices that would equip me with enough to get a house in the South of France (well, more like a shack in South Walton), when my husband’s persistent cough became annoying not just to him but for those of us around him. The breaking point – or one of them – was when a coworker started calling him “TB.” He became sick on Christmas day and has yet to have a cough-free day. The mysterious on-again-off-again-sometimes-fevery-but-always-coughy …read more

Alzheimer’s Finances
There often comes a time when elderly parents, especially those who experience strokes or develop Alzheimer’s, need help with their finances.  Eventually someone may have to take over their finances entirely.
This generally is a difficult time for both parents and children or whomever becomes in charge.  I found helping my mother make out checks, decide which bills to pay, and go over accounts was no problem.  It was when she began to lose the ability to understand and made unrational decisions.  There is a reluctance within many of us to take financial matters out of our parents’ hands, even …read more

 AlzheimersNotes.com
 At some point as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the victim no longer can take care of finances, personal, and medical needs.  Even if family members can care for them, a caregiver often needs to have this made official.
Depending on individual circumstances, family and patient cooperation, as well as legal requirements in specific states, the degree to which you’ll need to go to manage patient care will vary.  For instance, my mom gave me power of attorney for her affairs.  That was all I needed, in our situation, while I was responsible for her care.  However, the power of attorney was requested …read more