Dementia and the Death of an Icon

 With the recent passing of Hollywood Starlet Zsa Zsa Gabor, just shy of her 100th birthday, another light is shed on dementia. Individuals suffering from dementia decline at different rates. Gabor silently suffered from dementia for the last five years of her life.  Dementia stripped any reminder of the glitz and glamour that once was Zsa Zsa Gabor as she lived the final years of her life bedridden and attached to feeding tubes, completely oblivious to her own identity and stardom. With her fortune, Gabor was able to afford 24-hour care in her Bel Air Mansion. Such in-home care can average about $15,000 to $20,000 a month. With the incredible high cost of care, the average person suffering from dementia or any long-term illness can’t afford the care they need.
Our firm is often called on to assist families struggling with this very issue. We assist our clients in finding the right care for their loved ones, without draining all of their assets to pay for that care. We offer unique legal services that allow our team of professionals to provide a high level of attention to each client. We assess each client’s needs and determine the best course of action to protect assets, like the family home, and obtain benefits to help pay for the best care. Every client’s circumstances and needs are different, as such, our planning and legal services are specific to each client. Families facing long-term care decisions, without the Gabor care budget, lean on our expertise to advocate for their loved ones, protect the assets, and help guide them through the emotional challenges they will face.
Our planning often includes preparation of critical legal documents to allow trusted family members to make important decisions without costly court interference; and, protection for the family home from State recovery for nursing home costs. Additionally, an Advance Healthcare Directive is put in place to guide the Agent in making healthcare decisions, including decisions regarding feeding tubes and palliative care. Our Elder Care Coordinator’s will assist clients with coordinating services to help take care of the client, whether it be in-home care or care in a facility. Our planning encompasses a wide range of client needs, including: advocating for our clients to get the best possible care; handling Medi-Cal or VA matters, if applicable; asset protection and many other issues.
Our ultimate goal is to ensure the best quality of life for our clients and their families, given their individual circumstances.
For more information, please call 661-287-3260, or visit our website at www.TheMcNamaraLawFirm.com.