National Alzheimer’s Disease Month & Pre-Planning

Posted on November 3rd, 2020 by Foothill Funeral and Cremation under Death, End-Of-Life, Funerals, Memorials, Pre-Planning
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Alzheimer's Dementia Pre-Planning FuneralNovember is National Alzheimer’s Diseases Awareness Month. The campaign was created in 1983. It raises awareness and challenges the stigma about the disease, which impacts 5.4 million Americans and their families.

Dementia is a concern for funeral homes. Although it attacks the brain rather than the body, it eventually claims the lives of its victims. In fact, it renders them unable to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL) without assistance. Thus, they are unable to understand, let alone articulate their end-of-life wishes. For this reason, pre-planning makes sense. Also, even if you escape the horrors of contracting the condition yourself, your loved ones may succumb. And if they outlive you, they will not be able to manage arrangements relative to your funeral or memorial plans.

Dementia & Alzheimer’s Defined

Dementia Alzheimer's Pre-Plan FuneralA collective name for progressive brain syndromes. Alzheimer’s affects memory, thinking, behavior, and emotion, dementia is the leading cause of disability and dependency among the elderly. Unfortunately, people mistakenly group all types of dementia under the umbrella of Alzheimer’s. There are over 100 different forms of the malady. The most well-known is Alzheimer’s, which accounts for 50-60 percent of all cases. Other forms include Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies (the type which affected the late comic Robin Williams), Frontal Temporal Dementia, and Mixed Dementia.

Common Alzheimer’s Associated Symptoms:

  • Memory Loss
  • Difficulty finding the right words
  • Struggling to understand the meaning behind what people are sayingConfusion Dementia
  • Difficulty performing previously routine tasks
  • Changes in personality and mood

Almost 50 million people, worldwide, are affected by some type of dementia. In fact, a new case occurs somewhere in the world once every three seconds. Dementia can also affect individuals who are under the age of 65 (young-onset).

Pre-Planning in Case of Alzheimer’s

Confusion Choices Funeral Pre PlanningSince all of us are living on borrowed time, don’t put off for tomorrow what you could take care of today. As we have discussed in a recent blog post, people routinely plan the most important events in their lives – weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, golf tournaments, and vacations. However, most fail to plan for an occasion that each and every one of us will one-day face – our own demise! While it may be more fun to reserve flights and book hotel rooms than to sit down with a pre-planning specialist to discuss cremation and headstones. But most people feel more comfortable after making end-of-life plans. Doing so will unburden your family (when the time comes) as well as free you up to enjoy the life you are living while you’re still around.

For more about pre-planning, whether or not dementia factors into the equation, please contact Foothill Funeral & Cremation’s Pre-Need Specialist, Andrea Batista (626) 335-0615.

About Foothill Funeral & Cremation in Glendora, CaliforniaDementia Funeral Home

When someone you love dies, whether or not they had Alzheimer’s, we will do our best to make sure your loved ones can mourn your loss in a safe manner. Feel free to contact us now to pre-plan your own memorial or at your time of need (626) 335-0615. Our relationship with the United Methodist Church and Sacred Heart (which currently allows a maximum of 65 people) provides great places for mourners to host funerals and memorials. You’ll love the grandiose yet intimate settings in both locations.

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