Caring for a loved one living with dementia often means stepping into new roles --
especially when it comes to legal and long-term planning. To help caregivers feel
more confident and supported, Wyoming Dementia Together (WDT) plans a session focused
on the legal tools that matter most.
Attorney Nancy Norton of Norton Law Office LLC in Jackson -- an expert in estate planning
and proactive long-term care planning -- will join WDT to guide caregivers through
essential documents such as trusts, wills and powers of attorney Wednesday, Oct. 7,
at 10:30 a.m.
The program, “Legal Implications for Caregivers: Trusts and Wills,” will be offered
via Zoom and is free to attend. Norton emphasizes that early planning can make a tremendous
difference.
“The first thing I would ask is whether there was any planning prior to them coming
to see me,” she explains. “If so, I’d want to check those documents to see if they
specifically address the situation of someone with a dementia diagnosis.”
She also reassures caregivers that powers of attorney prepared out of state are often
still valid.
“Every state has its own laws when it comes to powers of attorney. But, generally,
if you have power of attorney for finances, it will be recognized in another state,”
she says.
WDT offers support services to those caring for people living with Alzheimer’s or
other forms of dementia and operates under the direction of the University of Wyoming
Center on Aging. The group provides virtual informational programs every other Wednesday
at 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time. Programs feature guest speakers and allow time for interaction
from those who attend online.
WDT support staff members include dementia care professionals, licensed clinical social
workers, physical and occupational therapists, and caregivers themselves. Caregivers
from throughout Wyoming and surrounding states have benefited.
Future WDT program topics will feature “Driving and Dementia: When is it time to stop
-- What comes next,” Oct. 21; “Managing Finances in Dementia Care: Support for the
Caregiver,” Nov. 4; “Living Well with Dementia: Using Technology to Stay Active and
Connected,” Nov. 18; and “Peace, Love and Joy in the Holiday Season: Caring for Your
Loved One and Yourself,” Dec. 4. More information is available online at Wyoming Dementia Together Caregiver Network.
For information regarding registration for these online Zoom calls and the other free services offered by WDT, call the Wyoming Center on Aging at (307) 766-2829 or email wycoa@uwyo.edu.
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.