Petitioning the courts for an adult guardianship can be a difficult decision to make. The adult children of aging parents don’t want to strip their parents of autonomy or make them feel resentful. However, children sometimes need to act to protect their parents from financial abuse or the failure to get necessary medical care.
Some older adults adjust well to advanced age, while others develop truly debilitating medical issues, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Recognizing the early warning signs of cognitive decline and dementia can help adult children seek guardianship when it is appropriate.
How does dementia begin?
People typically don’t wake up one morning with severe dementia symptoms. They experience protracted cognitive decline over many months or even several years. Confusion is one of the first warning signs of dementia.
Older adults may start struggling to manage matters that they previously handled without any issues. They may initially try to hide the signs of confusion from their family members.
Changes in an older adult’s mood or overall personality are also potential warning signs of dementia. People who feel confused frequently may become more irritable toward their loved ones. They may even sometimes struggle to recognize their adult children or grandchildren.
Ensuring that a parent receives appropriate medical care, including a prompt diagnosis, can help limit the harm caused by dementia. Working with an attorney to develop a guardianship case can be beneficial for adult children who recognize signs of decline in their parents. Even if a parent may resent their guardianship, the ability to protect them from their own limitations may be important.
