By Herzog Law Firm
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t mean facing the future alone. In a recent segment of Ask the Attorney on Upstate Living, David Kubikian, Esq. of Herzog Law Firm answered a question from a viewer named Barbara, whose husband was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Her question: what should we do right now to prepare?
You’re Not on an Island
The Capital Region has strong local support for families navigating life after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and help is closer than it might feel right now, including:
- Albany Med’s Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease
- The Eddy Alzheimer’s Services through St. Peter’s Health Partners
- The Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York
There are also FDA-approved medications that can slow disease progression and help manage symptoms. The key takeaway: a diagnosis is the start of a plan, not the end of one, and there’s real support in place to help you through it.
Get the Legal Groundwork in Place Early
Legal planning matters regardless of diagnosis, whether it’s Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, or MS: get prepared early, while your loved one can still participate in the decisions. The sooner this groundwork is in place, the more peace of mind it brings.
That starts with:
- A comprehensive power of attorney (POA), so a trusted person can sign, transact, and act on your loved one’s behalf as needed
- Considering trusts instead of, or alongside, a will, which can help protect assets as the disease progresses
- A full picture of current finances, so the family understands what resources are available
Anyone past a certain age, not just those with a new diagnosis, should have these documents in order.
Planning for the Road Ahead
Alzheimer’s typically progresses over a long period, and needs tend to change along the way, but that also means there’s usually time to adjust the plan as you go. Community Medicaid, a government program, can help bring in-home services to wherever a loved one chooses to live, whether that’s their house, an apartment, or another setting. The goal is to help them age the way they want to for as long as possible, in comfort and with support.
A properly drafted power of attorney is what makes it possible to adjust the plan as those needs evolve, without starting from scratch or going to court.
Have Questions of Your Own?
If you’re navigating what to do after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in your own family, you don’t have to figure it out alone, and you don’t need to wait for a crisis to start planning. Call Herzog Law Firm today at (518) 465-7581 or fill out the contact form below to get started.