Legal

The 30 sources listed below are each rated on how they can help caregivers better understand and manage legal issues for people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Sources are ranked from highest to lowest.
ALZSmart Score™ - Extraordinary90%

Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Resource center for legal and financial planning with links to specific topics:  Elder Law Attorneys, Advance Directives, Power of Attorney, Healthcare Proxy, Guardianship, Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Bequests, Retirement Plans, Medicare, Medicaid and Alzheimer’s, and Funeral Planning.
Legal & Financial Planning
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent85%

Caring.com

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Detailed overview with topics that include:  Estate Planning 101, 6 Key Estate Planning Questions for You or Your Parents, Important Estate Planning Documents, What You Should Know About Wills, What You Should Know About Trusts, and How Trusts and Estate Lawyers Can Help.  Also has a couple of 2-3 minute videos.
A Guide to Estate Planning
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent85%

Alzheimer's Association

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

[PDF - 16 Pages]  A legal plan that includes:  1) Legal capacity, 2) Legal documents, 3) Finding a lawyer, 4) Meeting with your lawyer, 5) Terms your lawyer may use.
Legal Plans
ALZSmart Score™ - Excellent80%

AARP

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Explains why it's important to  give a person's family or executor the right to access and manage digital assets, information and devices after the person dies.  This includes a person's digital assets (websites we own, blogs, art, music, writing, business websites, cryptocurrency and so much more) and digital information (email, social media and banking accounts) exist in our digital devices such as our computers and smartphones.
Prepare a Digital Estate Plan for Future Caregivers
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Naomi Karp

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Provides links to 4 easy-to-understand PDF guides to help financial caregivers:  1) Powers of attorney [PDF - 24 Pages], 2) Court-appointed guardians [PDF - 28 Pages], 3) Trustees [PDF - 28 Pages], and 4) Government fiduciaries [PDF - 24 Pages] (Social Security representative payees and VA fiduciaries).
Managing Someone Else’s Money
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%

Surviving Alzheimer's (2nd Edition)

Paula Spencer Scott

Pages 51-55

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Explains why legal issues are matter.  Discusses 18 issues that people need to think about.
Surviving Alzheimer's (2nd Edition)
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good75%

Alzheimer's Association

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Describes the basics of legal planning.  Discusses the term legal capacity.  Explains legal documents:  Power of attorney, Power of attorney for health care, Durable power of attorney for finances/property, Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST), Living will, Standard will, Living trust, and Guardianship / conservatorship.  Preparing your advance directives.  Getting help from an attorney.
Legal Planning
ALZSmart Score™ - Very Good70%

UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Program

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

[Video 42:29]  Attorney Marc B. Hankin discusses how to use a durable power of attorney, an advance health care directive and a living trust when someone is diagnosed with dementia. He will discuss what to do if the patient did not sign any of those documents while competent, the good and bad of conservatorships and how to preserve the patient’s independence as long as possible.  Examples use California legal code.
Elder Law: Protecting & Caring for Patients with Dementia
ALZSmart Score™ - Good65%

Alzheimer's Association

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Provides details on 6 legal document:  1) Power of Attorney, 2) Standard will, 3) Power of Attorney for health care, 4), Living trust, 5) Living will, and 6) Guardians/conservatorship.
Legal Documents
ALZSmart Score™ - Good60%

AARP

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Describes two advanced directives documents that record your medical preferences in writing:  1) Living will, and 2) Health care power of attorney.
Advance Directive: Creating a Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney
ALZSmart Score™ - Good60%

AARP

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Describes 3 types of powers of attorney.  Discusses the risks of not planning ahead.  Explains why you should prepare these documents early, update frequently.
Powers of Attorney: Crucial Documents for Caregiving
ALZSmart Score™ - Good60%

Daily Caring

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Discusses 3 common scenarios involving someone with dementia can't or won't sign a power of attorney and some options.
Dementia and Power of Attorney:  What To Do If Someone Can't or Won't Sign a POA
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%

National Institute on Aging (ADEAR)

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Discusses advance directives for financial and estate management.  Explains where you can get help with legal and financial planning.
Legal and Financial Planning for People with Alzheimer's
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%

ElderLawAnswers

Geo Location: US

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Resource center provided by elder law attorneys on a wide-range of topics.  Although there are many different articles and guides in this web site, it appears that the main objective is to search and locate a local elder law attorney.
Find Local Elder Law Assistance
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%

National Caregivers Library

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Resources center with links to 22 sources on these topics:  General Legal, Advanced Medical Directives, Elder Law, Fraud & Abuse, Power of Attorney & Guardianship, and Wills & Estate Planning.
Legal Matters
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%

Alzheimer's Texas

Geo Location: Texas

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

[PDF - 1 Page]  Resource guides (most are for the State of Texas) on:  Advance Care Planning, Financial Planning, and Legal Issues.
Legal and Financial Planning Resources and Guides
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%

The Dementia Caregiver

Marc E. Agronin, MD

Pages 207-217

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Discusses the caregivers role in decision-making.  Explains the durable power of attorney, competency & guardianships, and advanced directives.  Also outlines 7 major health issurance issues.
The Dementia Caregiver
ALZSmart Score™ - Average55%

Ahead of Dementia

Luciana Mitzkun

Pages 79-90

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Begins with an example that show the need to plan ahead.  Discusses the concept of legal capcity and laws in Arkansas, California and New York.  Explains legal documents for healthcare decisions and property & assets.
Ahead of Dementia
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%

Alzheimer's Association

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Explains why a person with Alzhemier's should make legal plans in advance.  Defines 'legal capacity'.  Lists 3 key issues to discuss with an attorney.  Provides a checklist of 8 items to bring to the lawyer.  Has 6 quick tips.  Also has information on locating an elder law attorney.
Planning Ahead for Legal Matters
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%

Alzheimers.net (aka A Place For Mom)

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Attorney Brad Sauer discusses 3 key things to know about how and when to execute legal documents:  1) Living Wills and Health Care Powers of Attorney, 2) The Effect of Alzheimer’s on Legal Documents, and 3) Why Capacity Is Needed to Execute a Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney.
3 Things to Know About Alzheimer’s and a Power of Attorney
ALZSmart Score™ - Average50%

The 36-Hour Day (6th Edition)

Nancy L. Mace, MA and Peter V. Rabins, MD, MPH

Pages 290-294

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Discusses making legal arrangements early and why you should use an elder law attorney.  Explains a power of attorney.  Describes guardianships and conservatorships.
The 36-Hour Day (6th Edition)
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%

Dementia Care Central (National Institute on Aging)

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Describes the legal process of seeking guardianship.  Discusses 6 important legal documents for persons with Alzheimer's or dementia.
Planning for Financial & Legal Challenges Associated with Alzheimer’s and Dementia
ALZSmart Score™ - Average45%

Alzheimer’s Research Association

Geo Location: All (US)

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Has a search tool to locate an elder law attorney.
Elder Care Law
ALZSmart Score™ - Average40%

Understand Alzheimer's

Pages 114-115

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Discusses the key legal document a durable power of attorney.  Has a list of 17 documents you may need to locate.
Understanding Alzheimer's
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory35%

VA Caregiver Support (US Dept. of Veteran's Affairs)

Geo Location: US

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Overview of the basics of legal and financial planning but with a focus on US veterans.
Caring for Dementia: Legal and Financial Planning
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory35%

What To Do Between the Tears …

Tara Reed

Pages 47-50

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Explains the basic legal docuemnts.
What To Do Between the Tears …
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory35%

Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias: The Caregiver's Complete Survival Guide

Nataly Rubinstein, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM

Pages 331-335

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Describes three legal documents:  a living will, a durable power of attorney, and a health care surrogate.
Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias:  The Caregiver's Complete Survival Guide
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory25%

The Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver's Handbook

Sally Willard Burbank, MD and Sue Pace Bell

Pages 215-218

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Overview of wills and power of attorney.
The Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver's Handbook
ALZSmart Score™ - Satisfactory20%

When Reasoning No Longer Works (2nd Edition)

Angel Smits

Pages 178-180

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Defines 8 elder law terms.
When Reasoning No Longer Works (2nd Edition)
ALZSmart Score™ - Fair15%

WebMD

Geo Location: All

ALZSmart Review™ - Summary of Contents

Briefly describes legal documents.
Alzheimer's Disease and Legal Issues

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We help Alzheimer's caregivers connect with the knowledge they need to thrive. 

Located in Seattle, WA

Founder's Words

I know how tough this can get ...

Nobody is ever fully prepared to care for their loved one with Alzheimer’s.

You make a commitment to be their caregiver ... but as the disease progresses sometimes things just spiral out of your control.  We can fix that.

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Keith M. Glein

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