What Makes a Will Valid?

A will, more formally known as a Last Will and Testament, is required (in Maryland) to be in writing and signed by the maker as well as two witnesses. A notary public is not required to sign the will, but it doesn’t hurt. A warning, however: a professionally prepared will would have what is known as an “attestation clause” which is a recitation of language that the witnesses were present when the will was signed by the maker and confirm that the maker knew what he was doing when he signed the will. If this is missing, it may be necessary for the witnesses to be found and present proof that the maker of the will did, indeed, know what he was doing.

How to Get Along with Your “Alzheimer’s Loved One”

The key to caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is to learn to “go with the flow”. Because the brain functioning ability is greatly impaired, it is necessary to be simple. By that I mean that your loved one is unable to understand complicated directions, oral or visual, so focus on being straightforward, direct and simple. Give one instruction or request at a time. Further, understand that although Alzheimer’s patients have very short-term memory, they can and do learn routines. They find it very comforting and reassuring to know what to expect.  Accordingly, try to establish such a routine if possible. In other words, meals will be regular as will bed and nap times. Interestingly, a concern for a routine also applies to the person’s surroundings. Don’t change room colors or furniture location. Such changes can be quite confusing.

Dealing with a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease

There are a few tasks which are more difficult when dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease while at the same time maintaining balance in one’s own life. As Alzheimer’s Disease progresses, the victim finds communication increasingly difficult. Further, personality is affected as well.  They will become frustrated, sometimes angry, and occasionally physically aggressive.  To say the least, this conduct will be extremely upsetting to you. Try to be patient. The anger, the frustration, is not directed at you.  It is felt by that person who knows that things are changing within for the worse. Sometimes the anger is prompted by the person’s inability to communicate effectively. You can help by paying attention to non-verbal cues. If you raised children, think back to the times before your child started speaking – the wants, the needs, even the demands were expressed in non-verbal ways. To the extent that your loved one realizes that you are not only trying to understand him or her, but are actually doing so should have a calming effect. 

It is a natural reaction to think that you must devote every waking moment to caring for your loved one.  But, that is an impossible task. You will certainly burn out before long if you do not set aside time for yourself. There are resources in the community such as respite care or adult daycare, etc., that will allow you to take a break from these responsibilities that you understandably feel so intensely. It truly is all right to feel selfish at times. If you are not, rest assured that you will shorten the time during which you are able to be of real help to your loved one. And it is highly likely that you will shorten your own life. Stress, indeed, does kill.

How Long Can One Live with Alzheimer’s Disease?

Typically, a person with Alzheimer’s will live for 10 years after it begins, but the range can be as short as 3 years to as long as 20 years. You may recall that Ronald Reagan disclosed in 1995 that he had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He died 10 years later.

Are There Any Cures for Alzheimer’s?

Not yet. The best that can be done medically is, in some patients, to slow the onset of symptoms with  drugs such as Aricept, Exelon and Razadyne. Drug trials have indicated that for many patients on such medications, the benefits are barely noticeable if at all. Some studies have suggested that exercise, both mental and physical, might have a role in warding off the disease.  There is some evidence that ingesting vitamins B6 and B12 as well as Vitamin E may slow the progression of the disease as well.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

Medical science has found the answer to this question quite elusive. Apparently, there are both genetic and environmental factors involved. Genetics appears to carry a very strong role in what is termed early-onset Alzheimer’s (the dementia is clearly evident before the age of 60). The factors involved in dementia that appears at a later age are less clear-cut. Thus, the fact that a family member (a parent, for instance) is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s while in their 80’s, is NOT a strong indicator that that person’s child will also experience Alzheimer’s.

The "No Will" Will

Many people think that even if they don’t have a will of their own, state law will rescue them from their procrastination. Unfortunately, that’s not true. Simply put, the law provides that your next of kin will inherit. But there are very serious problems with relying on the law instead of your own personal document. The following No-Will Will, though written with a sense of humor, highlights major problems you risk if you don’t have your own private will:

 

                What happens if you don't have your own Will?

The  No-WillWill 

            Being of sound mind and memory, I, Joe Procrastinator, do hereby publish this as my Last Will and Testament:

FIRST B I give one-half (2) of what I own to my wife and one-half (2) to my children (no matter who needs it more).

SECOND B If my wife remarries and her new husband outlives her, he shall be entitled to one-third (a) of everything she has [or one-half (2) if there are no surviving children].  He shall then have the power to decide who gets his share and may leave nothing at all to my children.

THIRD B I have the right to select someone I trust to handle my affairs after my death, but I don’t care.  Let a judge choose whomever he wants to be my Executor or Personal Representative.

FOURTH B I want the Federal and State Government to take as much of my wife=s and my children=s money as they want since they need it more (there is a huge government budget deficit, after all).

FIFTH B I want a cheap funeral despite the wishes of my family.

SIXTH B I own family mementos that my children would like to have. But I don’t want to pick who gets what. I’d rather that they fight over the items when I’m gone.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed my Last Will and Testament on this, the  ______day of _____________, 20___.

          

                                                                        ______________________________________

                                                                       Joe (or Jane) “I’ll live forever” Procrastinator

If you want a Will of your own, call Richmond Davis, Attorney at Law 

                                                         410-730-5550