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power of attorney

Alzheimer’s Disease: An Epidemic that Requires Sound Planning

July 12, 2019 by Kristen R. Matthews, Esq.

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By Kristen R. Matthews, CELA, Esquire-

As an Elder Law attorney, I often meet with families and loved ones of individuals who have Alzheimer’s Disease, whether they be in the early stages or are in a later stage of the progression of the Disease. Critical decisions need to be made carefully and without delay to ensure the long-term care and well-being of the ill individual.

When an individual has diminished capacity, it is essential that they have in place essential estate planning documents, particularly Healthcare and General Durable Powers of Attorney. These Powers of Attorney will authorize their named Agent(s) to handle their personal and financial affairs throughout the progression of the Disease. When an individual with dementia lacks capacity and has not already executed Powers of Attorney, a costly guardianship proceeding will almost inevitably occur.

Over the years, I have seen more and more clients who are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Particularly noteworthy is the increasing number of clients with early-onset dementia, whereby an individual begins to show signs of diminishing capacity in their early 40’s or 50’s.

This increased incidence of clients with dementia in my practice is supported by the 2019 facts and figures recently released by the Alzheimer’s Association. Currently, 5.7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease, that number increasing at an alarming rate with a new diagnosis made every 65 seconds.

The Alzheimer’s Association has found that Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementia-related illnesses are costing the county $290 billion per year, even with caregivers providing an estimated 18.5 billion hours of largely uncompensated care.

If you have a loved one who is suffering from or showing signs of dementia, please do not delay in meeting with an Elder Law attorney to ensure that the individual’s Power of Attorney documents is in good order and that their finances have been evaluated in light of their future long term care needs.


Kristen R. Matthews works closely with individuals on a wide variety of estate and trust planning and administration matters. She is an experienced elder law attorney and assists clients with matters including advance and crisis Medicaid planning, guardianships, special needs trusts, and Veterans Pension benefits.

To schedule a consultation with Kristen, call (610) 840-0272 or email [email protected].

Filed Under: Articles by Our Attorneys Tagged With: Elder Law, estate planning, Kristen R. Matthews, long-term care, power of attorney

Power of Attorney: Why it is Important to Add it to Your College Packing Checklist

July 20, 2018 by Kristen R. Matthews, Esq.

By Kristen R. Matthews, Esquire, CELA –

Parents are often surprised to learn that once their child turns the age of majority, 18 in Pennsylvania, they no longer have a legal right to make medical and financial decisions for their child.  Sending your child off to college without both a General Durable Power of Attorney and a Healthcare Power of Attorney can have costly consequences. When meeting with children to discuss their Powers of Attorney, I typically recommend that they name their mom and dad to jointly serve as their Agents.

A General Durable Power of Attorney appoints an Agent who will manage all non-healthcare decisions on your behalf when you are unable, such as signing documents and bill payment. Imagine a situation where you call your child’s college to obtain a copy of his or her transcript. Although the college is happy to accept your tuition payments, they will be unwilling to discuss your child’s academic report or any other matter unless you are named as Agent under your child’s General Durable Power of Attorney.

The Healthcare Power of Attorney appoints an Agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to communicate with your medical providers. Imagine another situation where your child is seriously ill or injured at school, or even while on a family vacation. Medical providers generally will be unwilling and unable under HIPAA regulations to communicate with you regarding your child’s medical condition unless you are named as Agent under your child’s Healthcare Power of Attorney.

In a situation where your child is unable to handle his or her financial and medical affairs long-term due to incapacity, a guardianship proceeding will be necessary if your child had not previously executed valid Powers of Attorney. A guardianship proceeding causes undue delay and expense that can be easily avoided by executing the Powers of Attorney.

As a mother, I cannot stress enough the importance of discussing and implementing Powers of Attorney with your children. Please be sure to add Powers of Attorney to your child’s college packing checklist – it’s the surest way to empower you as your child’s #1 advocate.


Elder Law Attorney - Kristen Matthews, CELAKristen R. Matthews is an experienced elder law attorney, assisting clients with a variety of estate and trust planning and administration matters in addition to advance and crisis Medicaid planning, guardianships, special needs trusts, and Veterans Pension benefits.

[email protected] | (610) 840-0272

Filed Under: Articles by Our Attorneys Tagged With: college, estate planning, power of attorney

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