If you notice that a loved one has started to show signs of dementia, this is important from a care perspective a legal perspective. The sooner you can get them necessary help, the better you’ll understand treatment options as well as some of the things you can expect if the disease progresses.

Likewise, there are key planning steps that must be taken in the early stages of Alzheimers to protect that loved one’s needs and wishes. If the disease progresses and they are no longer able to speak up for themselves or be seen as legally competent to make their own decisions, this can create a cluster of legal issues around guardianship and their estate planning.

Although there are so many things to think about when you realize that a loved one has dementia, don’t let the planning fall by the wayside. If you suspect that you’ve seen signs of early dementia, this detection process is important because you can get a diagnosis and begin exploring treatment options sooner rather than later.

Here are some of the key symptoms that your family member might have dementia. As always, get these reviewed by a medical professional to confirm any diagnosis:

• Memory loss that makes you concerned about their safety or is seen as a disruption to their everyday life
• Your loved one has difficulty completing basic tasks or suffers from forgetting things often
• Trouble understanding relationships
• Confusion related to place or time

If your loved one is beginning to experience these issues, you want to take them seriously and decide to move forward with getting a healthcare professional’s insight as soon as possible.

If you need assistance with planning after someone in your family has been diagnosed with dementia, time is of the essence. Contact a dedicated estate planning lawyer now to learn more.