Legal and financial planning is essential for both the person with Alzheimer's disease and for the family. This planning should begin soon after a diagnosis has been made to allow the person with Alzheimer's to participate if they have the capacity to manage their own legal and financial affairs. Advance planning allows persons with the disease and their families to make decisions together for what may come.

Legal Rights of Older Adults (AoA Web Site)

Legal Hotlines
Below is a list of legal hotlines (AoA Web Site) for people over 60 in the states that presently have them. The service allows persons 60 and over, or people calling on their behalf to speak with an attorney about their legal questions or problems. They do not offer actual representation but they may be able to provide a referral to a legal service program or private bar member. Some hotlines may charge small fees in certain cases which are described in their informational boxes.

Book Resources

• Mace, Nancy L. and Peter V. Rabins. The 36-hour day: a family guide to caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease, related dementing illnesses, and memory loss in later life. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991. ISBN: 0-8018-4033-3; 0-8018-4034-1 (pbk.) (available from the Alzheimer’s Association, 800.272.3900, order no. ED100Z, $9.95; pocket edition order no. ED100ZA, $6.95; spanish version order no. ED100ZS, $9.95)
  Classic, comprehensive guide to home care of those in all stages of progressive dementing illness. Combining practical advice with specific examples, it covers all the medical, legal, financial and emotional aspects of caring for an impaired relative. Includes chapters on daily care and behavioral issues, medical problems, family relationships, and nursing home placement.
  
• Rau, Marie T. Coping with the communication challenges in Alzheimer’s disease. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group, 1993. ISBN: 1-879105-76-4. Focuses on communication patterns in the different stages of the disease, and outlines general guidelines for enhancing communication. Also discusses how to talk to health, social service and legal professionals.