Written by Deborah Keesey, Esq.
What is the Alzheimer’s epidemic?
It’s hard to believe, but every 66 seconds someone in the United
States develops the disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association,
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United
States. More than 5 million Americans are presently living with the disease,
and that number is expected to climb to 16 million by 2050 with our aging
population.
How does Alzheimer’s affect someone?
One of our society’s increasingly diagnosed illnesses, Alzheimer’s
cannot be cured or reversed at this time. It is a disease that progresses
over time and causes our seniors afflicted by the disease not just to
suffer from memory loss, but also to become vulnerable to fraud and undue
influence. Decisions about finances and health care become more difficult,
and the person needs help.
What can be done to help an Alzheimer’s sufferer?
Conservatorships become necessary when someone is an adult but unable to
make informed decisions on their own because of impaired mental capacity,
often times a result of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. More information
can be found at
www.alz.org.
What is involved in a conservatorship proceeding?
A conservatorship is one solution, but should be the last resort because
of the cost and the restrictiveness. A conservator handles all the affairs
for an incapacitated adult. To begin a conservatorship, a petition needs
to be filed with the court and a conservator nominated. A court-appointed
attorney is arranged for the proposed conservatee, and a hearing is held.
If a conservatorship estate is established, the conservator needs to be
bonded, and an inventory and appraisal must be filed. An accounting is
due after the first year of appointment and every two years after that.
More information can be found at
www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-conservatorship.htm.
Deborah Keesey, Esq., is a partner at the law firm of Burkley Brandlin
Swatik & Keesey LLP, located in Torrance. She is a member of Torrance
Memorial’s Professional Advisory Council.
www.bbsklaw.com.
Contact: (310) 540-6000.