Michigan Estate Planning & Elder Law

Parkinson Foundation Walk-A-Thon

Last year, my father died of complications from Parkinson's disease, so the Parkinson Foundation's cause is close to my heart.  For those who are interested, the Michigan Parkinson Foundation is hosting a Walk-A-Thon on June 7, 2008 (St. Clair Shores) and June 8, 2008 (Northville). 

Parkinson's disease can strike people of all ages.  Over 35,000 Michigan residents are afflicted.  For 25 years, the Michigan Parkinson Foundation has provided education and support to patients, their families, and health care providers. 

I will be at the Northville Walk-A-Thon on June 8 with my family.  Come join us to support a great cause, and to share some memories.  Here is the link to the Foundation's website for more details:

http://www.parkinsonsmi.org/walkreg.aspx

New Federal Study Identifies Growing Problems With Memory, Decision-Making

A new federal study found that more than 5 million elderly Americans have a hard time remembering things and making daily decisions.  This is in addition to the 3.4 million Americans who have alzheimer's or other types of dementia.  The article appearing in The Week stated:  "It now appears that more than one-third of the nation's elderly have some diminished mental function."

Why is this important to you and your family?  First, this number is higher than experts originally believed.  Second, the numbers will increase even more as baby boomers age. 

Incapacity can be both emotionally and financially taxing if you don't properly plan for it.  For example, if you don't have a comprehensive estate plan, you may be required to open and maintain a Guardianship and Conservatorship at the Probate Court to manage the incapacitated person's personal and financial matters.  We call this a "living probate", which can be as time-consuming and expensive as the "death probate" which most people know about and try to avoid.

So, make sure that you and your loved ones have a comprehensive estate plan that deals with both death and incapacity:  This includes a Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, HIPAA Authorization and Living Trust, among other documents needed to tie the main documents together.

Project Helps Seniors Drive Longer, Maintain Independence

Driving is a major area of security and independence for seniors.  I watched my father struggle with no longer driving a car – and losing his independence – due to Parkinson's disease.  And my grandfather just turned 97 years old, and only stopped driving a few years back.  Losing that control, that independence, can be devastating. 

A recent Detroit Free Press article featured retired GM engineer, John Bieda, who works as a volunteer instructor for the AARP Driver Safety Program.  The goal of the AARP Program is to help seniors recognize “natural declines” in eyesight, reaction time and other characteristics that make it harder to drive safely.

Bieda's class focuses on real-life worries and ways drivers can help offset the challenges of aging.  He suggests:

• Limiting nighttime driving.

• Leaving extra driving distance between vehicles.

• Exercising and stretching daily to maintain muscle strength and flexibility.

• Adjusting mirrors to better see blind spots.

• Not making left turns, even if it means going out of the way to get somewhere by

The number of people taking the courses is growing – more than 3,400 people took part in 2007, up from about 2,600 in 2006.  There is a minimal $10 cost for the course, which generally consists of 8 hours of instruction over 2 days.   For more about senior driving classes, go to www.aarp.org/drive or call 888-227-7669. Community senior centers also may have information.