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AdvAnce directive

A legal document that protects a persons

right to reuse medical treatment that

they do not want, or to request treatment

that they do want, i they lose the abil-

ity to make decisions or themselves. It

incorporates the Power o Attorney or

Health Care, Instructions or Health Care,

and Organ Donation.

Attorney-in-FAct

Also known as the Health Care Agent. The

person named to act on ones behal in an

Advance Directive.

BeneFiciAry

The person(s) who receives the benefts

o a lie insurance policy, living trust or

a will.

conservAtee

A person who is incapacitated and or

whom a Conservatorship has been set up.

conservAtor

An individual who is appointed by the

court to act on behal o a person who is

incapacitated.

conservAtorshipIn Caliornia there are two orms: the

person and the estate. In the ormer, the

persons medical care, personal care and

housing are covered, while in the latter,

the fnancial part is covered. There can be

one Conservator over both parts or they

can be separate.

executor

The person named in a will who is cho-

sen to manage the estate o a deceased

individual.

GrAntor/trustor

The creator o the living trust.

irrevocABle trust

A trust which has terms that cannot be

changed.

power oF Attorney FinAnciAl

One or more individuals selected by you

to immediately, or in the uture, assist

you with your fnances in the event o

incapacity.

principAl

The person signing the power o attor-

ney to authorize another person to legally

make decisions or him/her.

proFessionAl FiduciAry

A Guardian, Conservator or Trustee who

is registered with the court and/or state

organization.

revocABle livinG trust

A device that describes certain property,names a trustee and names a benefciary

who receives beneft

rom the trust. It can

be revoked by the

person who created it

during that persons

lietime.

sociAl securityretirement BeneFits

Benefts or eligible workers and their

amilies when the worker retires. The

worker must work or a certain period

at a job that is covered by Social Security

and the worker must be at least 62 to re-

ceive retirement benefts.

sociAl securitydisABility BeneFits

Benefts paid to disabled workers andtheir amilies ollowing a waiting period.

speciAl needs trust

A special trust that provides a und to sup-

plement the governmental benefts o a

benefciary, while not aecting that bene-

fciarys eligibility or public benefts.

supplementAl

security income (ssi)

A ederal program which provides cash

assistance to the aged, blind and disabled

who have limited income and resources.

testAtor

The person who executes a will.

trustee

The individual, bank or proessional f-

duciary who manages the assets o the

living trust.

will

A document that a person signs directing

how he/she wants his/her estate handled

upon death. The terms o a will are eec-

tive only upon the death o the testator.

Los Angeles, Riverside & San Bernardino Counties Chapter

glossary of legal terms

This brochure was made possible by the donated expertise o Mitchell A. Karasov, Esq. and Anita H. Miller, M.A., PGCM,o the Law Ofces o Mitchell A. Karasov, and was generously unded by the Archstone Foundation.

www.alzla.org 800 272 3900 Helpline

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Keep in min

Managemen

Managemenliving arrang

Preserving thspouse and

Providing pathrough priv(very time lim

or Suppleme Distribution

c a ag sooner a a aI a co-trustee or co-agent is put in

place early, you can have the chance to

see or yoursel i youve chosen the

right person. You can work together

and test whether they are doing things

the way youd like. This allows or

peace o mind and a smoother transi-

tion or both parties alike.

3

ea bf agI youre age 65 or older, the main

source o your health coverage is like-

ly Medicare, which covers inpatient

hospital care, some doctors ees and

medical items, as well as outpatient

prescription drugs.

However, people under the age o

65 (early-onset) are oten unable to

get medical insurance and sometimes

they lose their benefts i they must

retire early. It is very important to ask

your employer about any disability

policy and ongoing insurance. I the

sole option is Social Security disabil-

ity, youll have an approximate two-

year wait beore Medicare becomes

eective. You may want to consider

Medi-Cal as a orm o gap insurance.

4

w sa

pa First and oremost, your relation-

ship with your doctor is very impor-

tant to make sure you receive a ull

diagnostic work-up.An early and thorough diagnosis

allows you to start taking medi-

cations sooner which can help you

maintain a better quality o lie or a

longer period o time

allows you time to check into

your insurance coverage and make

decisions about a long-term care plan

with your amily and qualifed pro-

essionals

allows you time to make plans

or yoursel and your amily

mak a ga a aThese documents will provide

a roadmap or the person(s) you

choose to make sure your healthcare

and assets are managed as youd like.

Also, i there are any individuals you

do not want to make legal decisions

on your behal, its a good idea to

point that out as well.

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2

5 F ab Contact the Alzheimers Associationat (800) 272-3900 or help with ser-

vices, including inormation about

the Memory Club, a

10-week educational

support group or

amilies coping with

early stage dementia.

s G

Assistanforms ov

If you are considering or have purchased

long-term care insurance

Check on whether theres a waiver o premium.

Is Alzheimers disease covered?

Whats the daily benet and is it

adjusted annually or infation?

What is the length o time that benets will be

paid and is there a maximum lietime payout?

Always name a

back-up age

primary agent

able or unwillin

Think about ha

third person as

der the power immediate am

dont get along

Stipulate any ch

amily member

you or assistan

m a a aThese proessionals are more

likely to be knowledgeable about

handling dementia cases. Always

ask beorehand i theyre specif-

cally experienced in this area.

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Important issues to discuss:

Options or health care decision-

making and property management Possible coverage o long-term

care services

What to bring to the meeting:

Insurance policies & list o cash values

Stocks and bond certicates

Bank & brokerage account inormation

Pension and other retirement

benet summaries

Social Security payment inormation

Rental income paperwork

Deeds and mortgages

Monthly or outstanding billsCopies o recent tax returns

Health insurance policies

Admission agreement to any

healthcare acilities (i applicable)

List o names, addresses, and phonenumbers o all important parties, including:

amily members (a amily tree is very

helpul to have), nancial planners,

accountants, caregivers and physicians

knowledge is powerknow your options