Statistics Support New Legal Planning

Our quality of life is rapidly changing. We invest millions of dollars in vitamins, health club memberships, and anti-aging products. However, statistics show that we are living longer, but not healthier. Dementia and other chronic illnesses are now commonplace in our senior population, despite our trips to the vitamin counter. It is very rare to find a family who has not been affected by dementia or other chronic long-term illness, and who have not faced frustration with getting quality care for their loved one.
Dementia in our population is growing at an alarming rate. The statistics are sobering, as more and more people are affected. While new cases of Alzheimer’s disease and incapacity are rapidly rising, death from prostate cancer, breast cancer, heart disease and HIV are declining.
What does this tell us? Our legal documents need to reflect these horrific statistics, and provide protection for our families and ourselves. We must plan appropriately, while our minds are strong. Gone are the days of thinking a simple Last Will and Testament are enough. That simple document does not provide any protection from illness and incapacity, from the cost of high care, or from the mass of government rules and regulations. Given these statistics, we must plan for the possibility of incapacity, and the expensive costs of care not covered by insurance. Our new legal documents must encompass medical advocacy, HIPAA releases, the ability for a trusted person to make decisions for us if we cannot, for asset protection if needed from the high cost of nursing home care, and other issues. Americans often face bankruptcy due to skilled nursing care costs – which exceeds $8,000 per month in California. Proper legal documents and planning can help avoid losing the home and life savings due to the cost of skilled nursing care.
Our quality of life is changing. Chronic long-term illness and dementia/Alzheimer’s are threatening financial security, and posing difficulties for the younger generation who try to help. Make sure your legal documents address what the statistics show – that incapacity is on the rise, quality of care is on the decline, and costs can easily bankrupt a family. Everyone needs appropriate legal documents to make sure they are protected if they become a statistic.
For more information, please contact the McNamara Law Firm, PC at 661-287-3260, or visit www.theMcNamaraLawFirmPC.com.