Legal and Care Planning is Important for Everyone

Especially if you are an older adult, you should have a will or trust drawn up as well as a power-of-attorney and an advanced directive.   The difference between a will and a trust is a will is a legal document that goes into effect after the person dies while a trust goes into effect as soon as it is created.  The trustor (the creator of that trust) can name others to be in charge of the trust when she or he becomes incapacitated or dies.

A living will, also known as a Health Care Directive, is a legal document in which a person specifies what actions should be taken for their health care if they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves because of illness or incapacity.  The person named as the health care authority has the power to make medical decisions and sees to it that the wishes of the person is carried out. 

Another legal document many seniors find is a good idea to have is a Durable Power Of Attorney (DPOA).  The document is used if the person (the principal) ever becomes mentally incapacitated and covers both financial and medical decisions.   The attorney-in-fact or agent in effect becomes a legal guardian for the disabled principal.

These types of documents should be drawn up before a person becomes incapacitated.  If someone has a diminished capacity due to Alzheimer’s disease or another medical condition and needs someone to handle their medical and financial decisions, a person can pursue a legal Guardianship status for them.  Legal guardianship is granted by the courts and typically continues throughout the remainder of the person’s life.  Please refer to your financial consultant or attorney for more information. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek provides loving, compassionate assisted living for dementia patients.  Our community is designed to care for those in the early-stage of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia right through to the most advanced stages. Please visit our website for pricing and availability. 

MorningStar at Bear Creek brings a unique vision to senior living with a mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Built on a foundation of honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are committed to creating a true home for residents in an ideal setting. Contact us to learn more about the best assisted living for dementia patients in Colorado Springs.