World Alzheimer’s Day is September 21st. It’s an international campaign to raise dementia awareness and challenge stigma. Over 50 million people worldwide are living with dementia, and that number is expected to triple by 2050. Someone is diagnosed with dementia every 3 seconds.

Dementia is a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behavior, and emotion. Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia are the most common types of dementia, responsible for up to 90% of cases.

Can Dementia Be Prevented?

Even though many people believe dementia is an inevitable part of aging, research suggests that people can reduce their risk. Generally, what is good for your heart is good for your brain.

Be physically active. Follow a healthy diet. Challenge your brain with new activities. Enjoy social activities. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity all contribute to developing dementia later in life. If you have heart disease, seek out effective treatment.

What to do when a loved one or family member is diagnosed with dementia

While it is important for everyone to plan for the future, legal plans are especially important for a person diagnosed with dementia. The sooner these plans are put in place, the more likely that the person living with dementia will be able to participate in the process.

There are four essential documents for people living with dementia.

· Durable power of attorney for health care. This document establishes a trusted person to make health care decisions for the affected individual until death or until it is revoked.

· Durable power of attorney for finances. This document establishes a trusted person to take over financial decisions and control of their accounts for the affected individual until death or until it is revoked.

· Will or trust determines who should receive which assets upon the passing of the affected individual. An attorney can explain the differences in these documents and prepare them for you.

· Health care directive or living will establishes the specific types of care that this individual wants or does not want to receive near the end of life.

Act Now

The best time to prepare for a diagnosis of dementia is before it happens. Give me a call today to help you plan now, so you can be ready if you or someone you love is diagnosed.