Monterey, CA POLST, Living Trust And Will Should Be Drawn Up Before It's Too Late

It’s critical to get important papers drawn up such as a POLST (Physician’s Order For Life Sustaining Treatment), living trust and will before it’s too late.  A story in the New York Times today pointed out that studies show that simple math problems and handling financial matters are typically one of the first skill sets to go when a person comes down with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.  Research has also found that even people with normal cognitive function may reach the point where financial decision making becomes more challenging.  “A person can appear to have their wherewithal cognitively, but not have the ability to understand money in the same way anymore,” Helen Clark, a retired registered nurse and family therapist, told The New York Times.  That’s why it is so important to have these legal documents drawn up while you are still thinking straight.  We also recommend that people talk to their friends, family and anyone involved in their financial or medical affairs to tell them personally how they want to be treated should various scenarios occur.  This sometimes doesn’t come across fully in legal documents and so it’s better to do it in person so there isn’t fighting amongst family members should you go into the hospital or become impaired in some manner.