Ham or turkey, mashed potatoes and pie — that’s many people's idea of a great holiday meal. Discussions about cognitive decline? Not so much. But maybe this year, that's exactly what you should be adding to your family get-together.
For many families, the holidays are the rare occasion when the entire clan gathers under one roof, making it a great opportunity to delve into important family matters. As a financial planner, I've seen my fair share of heart-wrenching situations stemming from a lack of planning for cognitive decline. It ranges from an older woman found wandering her neighborhood late at night to a grandfather whose driving posed significant risk. Confronting these events can throw families into crisis, forcing them to make critical life decisions in a matter of days. Regrettably, hurried decisions rarely make for thoughtful evaluation.
