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Alzheimer’s Help

Do You Have a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, or Memory Loss??? You May Qualify for Assistance to Help Cut the Cost of Their Long-Term Care…

Our FREE Report Reveals the 7 Steps to You Should be Taking RIGHT NOW to Protect Your Loved One’s Hard-Earned Savings and Regain Peace of Mind

Dear Friend, We know you’re worried. You have a loved one who’s showing signs of memory loss and you’re concerned that it might be Alzheimer’s disease…or perhaps your loved one has already been diagnosed. In either case, you’re concerned about getting them quality care and wondering where you’ll find the strength to carry on throughout the course of a disease that can sometimes last for 10 or even 20 years. And when you think about the cost…you begin to worry that you might lose everything to Alzheimer’s. “What Steps Should I Be Taking Right Now?” Of course, it’s important that you talk to your doctor as soon as your loved one starts to show signs of memory loss. The place to start would be with your family physician or an internist.  From there, depending upon the results, the doctor may suggest that you see a neurologist (someone who specializes in Alzheimer’s and memory loss as well as other related disease). And even though you may be fearing the worst…that it’s Alzheimer’s disease…there are any number of less serious reasons why someone might be experiencing memory loss.  Not all of them are related to Alzheimer’s…but some of them have very similar symptoms. But even if the medical side of things is being handled, there are several crucial steps on the legal and financial side of things, which you should consider immediately.  That’s because the cost of care for someone with Alzheimer’s is incredibly expensive. 

Studies show that the cost of care in Massachusetts averages more than $174,000 for an Alzheimer’s patient over his or her lifetime. And while that may sound outrageous…when you consider that the cost of adult daycare is often $50 per day or more…or that the cost for an Alzheimer’s assisted living facility in New Bedford and surrounding areas averages nearly $5,000 per month or that the cost of the cost of a Massachusetts Alzheimer’s nursing home is over $8,300 a month and you quickly realize that the $174,000 lifetime figure may be low! That’s why you should take steps now…while you can still plan.  After all, who can afford $5,000 per month for Alzheimer’s assisted living or $8,300 per month for nursing home care without some assistance? Fortunately, there are often programs available to help you if you act now and plan ahead.

The first step is to consult with an attorney who works with Alzheimer’s clients. It’s critical that you and your loved ones have a chance to put the proper planning in place while there is still time.  The simple fact is that none of us knows how much time we have on this earth.  When Alzheimer’s or memory loss is part of the equation, however, life becomes more complicated. That’s because you may “know” exactly what your spouse or loved one would want.  But if those wishes have not somehow been put down in writing, then the law may not recognize your supposed “knowledge.”  In legal-speak, it’s considered hearsay and has no legal merit. Instead, the law in Massachusetts says the Alzheimer’s patient must have the legal capacity (i.e. the ability to understand) the planning steps.  For that reason, we suggest you act right now…while the Alzheimer’s patient can participate in the planning.  The longer you wait, the greater the risk becomes.

Alzheimer’s Help Video

Hi, I'm Dan Surprenant, a partner in the law firm Surprenant and Beneski. We specialize in estate, tax, Medicaid, and special needs planning. Here at Surprenant and Beneski, Alzheimer's and dementia issues are very important to us. Part of the reason that we do this work is because my grandmother Germaine Surprenant was diagnosed with dementia and we eventually lost her to the disease. We saw first-hand how Alzheimer's and dementia issues can rob a family member of their personality and memory long before they become physically frail. As elder law attorneys, we see over and over how important it is to get good estate planning documents in place as soon as there is a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia. In many cases, as the disease is progressive, it is important to plan and immediately protect your assets to avoid guardianship and conservatorship. There are basic estate-planning documents—such as the power of attorney, the health care proxy, and a HIPPA release—which should be in place immediately. When we're too late, court intervention will be needed in order to protect the assets for the elder. To learn more, click on our free guide entitled "The Legal Survival Guide for Alzheimer's Patients and Their Loved Ones." If you are facing long-term care, please click on the crisis Medicaid help page, or click on the consultation tab to see if you qualify for a free, no-obligation consultation. We look forward to seeing you.

Information is Power

While the consequences of Alzheimer’s can be stunning, it is important to remember that there is good information available to you and your family.

Our firm has helped hundreds of families in Massachusetts, and we have prepared a Alzheimer’s Legal Survival Guide that addresses some of the most common, real-world issues faced by people like you…it’s full of answers to questions that we hear on a daily basis.

Here are some of the strategies I reveal…

  • Discover some of the biggest mistakes that families of individuals with Alzheimer’s make (and how you can avoid them!)
  • Detailed information concerning the stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, and what steps you should be taking at each phase
  • Learn how to legally handle the issue of making medical decisions and living arrangements for your loved one
  • A comprehensive review of the various estate planning strategies available to you, and how each may allow you to protect your loved one’s hard-earned savings
  • Discover the financial assistance programs that may be available to help cover the cost of your loved one’s care
  • Learn about the differences between Massachusetts Medicare and Medicaid… and what those differences mean for your loved one
  • Information about the little-known benefit available to honorably discharged veterans that may help cover the cost of assisted living or home health care
  • Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions that we hear from families in situations similar to yours
  • …And much more!

…Because everyone’s situation is unique, you’ll also receive a certificate for a FREE Consultation with a qualified Elder Law professional.  We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about your situation and the steps you should be taking.

We strongly encourage you to request your free, no-obligation copy of The Alzheimer’s Legal Survival Guide.  It explains some of the strategies that smart families are using to protect their loved ones right now.

Warmly,

Bob Surprenant, Michelle Beneski, Dan Surprenant
Attorneys at Law

P.S. Making informed decisions may become difficult or even impossible over time.  The longer you wait, the greater the risk becomes.  But with proper planning, you will ensure that you’ve taken the best steps possible to protect your loved one’s and your family’s financial security.  Do it now before it’s too late!

See a full listing of our available legal services or contact us today to see how we can help.