Guardianships may be needed for loved ones with dementia. Why? It can be hard for Pennsylvania residents to watch their relatives grow old. We all know that, for many people, old age can come with certain symptoms which may sometimes be debilitating, like vision problems and memory loss issues. But, in some cases, these symptoms of “old age” could be symptoms of something much more serious, like dementia.
Memory loss is one of the known symptoms of dementia. There are others as well, such as communication issues and difficulty with planning, as well as anxiety, agitation and inappropriate behaviors. When Pennsylvania residents begin to notice these types of symptoms in a loved one, guardianships may be needed, especially if the person has not planned ahead and had powers of attorney prepared to appoint someone to handle medical and financial matters.
Guardianship for a loved one dealing with dementia results in appointment by a court of a guardian, who can take steps to ensure the health and financial well-being of the incapacitated person. When a person is no longer able to make financial decisions, it can be of the utmost importance to have a responsible individual who can step in and take care of these matters as well as someone to handle placement and medical decisions.
We all age, but some of us are affected more seriously than others by changes in our brains as we grow older. When a relative is diagnosed with dementia, it can be devastating. But, taking the right legal steps to ensure that the relative has the proper care and oversight can help. Pennsylvania residents who might be facing this type of situation may be best-served by getting more information about the legal process of guardianship from an elder law attorney.