Some of the greatest
concerns that follow a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia
revolve around finances and legal concerns. These issues will be addressed at “Dementia:
Finances and Legalities,” a free public presentation to be held at Backus
Community Center on Wednesday March 23 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Two featured guest
speakers will share their expertise, Jenna Herbig of the Alzheimer’s
Association and Rob Raplinger from the Legal Aid Service of Northeastern
Minnesota.
The guest speakers will
offer information to the general public as well as to those who have been
diagnosed with a dementia and their care partners, according to Koochiching
Aging Options, the organizer of the presentation along with the Greater
International Falls ACT on Alzheimer’s initiative.
Herbig will also present Thursday March 24 on the basics of Alzheimer’s at the Northome City Community Center at 11 a.m. and at Littlefork Lutheran Church at 2 p.m.
Presenter Jenna Herbig will
offer a general overview of the financial and legal repercussions prompted by a
diagnosis. She brings the latest information on the topic as developed by the
Alzheimer’s Association.
“If
you or someone you know is affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, the
time for legal and financial planning is now,” according to Herbig. “’Legal and
Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s Disease’ is a workshop for anyone who would
like to know more about legal and financial issues to consider and how to put
plans in place. Topics covered will include how to find legal and financial
assistance, making legal plans that fit your needs and practical strategies for
making a long-term plan of care.”
Herbig is a Program Manager for the
Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter. She has a Master’s
degree in Social Work from the University of Washington, Tacoma, and has over eight
years of experience working with families and caregivers in a variety of
settings. She draws upon her professional and personal experience with
Alzheimer’s disease to educate and support professional and family caregivers
of individuals with dementia throughout Northern Minnesota.
Raplinger’s
presentation will provide an overview of some of the legal issues that confront
those planning for their future. He will focus in particular on the treatment
of assets. “I hope to help people understand why advanced planning is
important,” he said.
Raplinger is a staff
attorney with Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota’s Senior Law Project.
His office is in Virginia, Minnesota. The Senior Law Project serves St. Louis,
Lake, Cook, Carlton, Itasca, Koochiching and Aitkin counties.
Legal Aid Service of
Northeastern Minnesota provides free legal advice and representation to those
in social and economic need who live in Northeastern Minnesota. This nonprofit
corporation informs clients of their legal rights and responsibilities as well
as pursuing changes in law where its effect is deemed unjust.
These events are made possible in part with funding from
the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging. The two-hour presentation will be held in Room
101 of the Backus Community Center in International Falls, located at 900 Fifth
Street. Coffee and cookies will be provided. Call Koochiching Aging Options
with questions at 283-7030 or email KoochichingAgingOptions@gmail.com.
