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

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Basically, Alzheimer’s Disease causes progressive loss of brain function. For reasons yet unknown, the disease involves what are termed ‘tangles’ in the brain that eventually spread throughout the brain causing, at first, memory difficulties, personality changes and, at the end, loss of bodily control. Although it is not considered a “normal” part of aging, it appears to afflict approximately ½ of all individuals who reach the age of 85. That process is often referred to as “dementia” but it is also a fact that loss of brain function can be caused by other factors such as a stroke, for instance. 

Beware of Inheritance Taxes!

Maryland imposes a 10% inheritance tax on all distributions made from a decedent’s estate unless the recipient is in the decedent’s direct blood line or is a non-profit organization (such as a charity). “Direct line” means your parents, children, grandchildren, etc. It does not include brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces. To avoid a tax on a distribution to a beloved cousin, for instance, you should make a gift of the amount which you desire to leave to that person during your lifetime. That amount will not be subject to an inheritance tax because it was not made as part of your will.

What is a Living Will?

In Maryland, a living will, also called an advance directive, allows you to specify what sort of care you want if your doctors conclude you are going to die very soon (“terminally ill”). Do you want all measures taken to prolong life? Would you rather avoid what you perceive is a pointless extension of your life since you are going to die soon thereafter anyway? These same questions can be answered in the event that you were to experience a medical emergency such as a heart attack and you were in a permanent coma or in the latter stages of Alzheimer’s. Refusing to intervene medically in those circumstances is also termed “DNR” or do not resuscitate.