Legal Considerations for New Caregivers Topic of UW Center on Aging YouTube Program

Caring for someone living with dementia is an enormous responsibility, and it is never too soon to seek legal counsel to assist with those responsibilities. That is the topic on the next edition of "Once Again," the YouTube channel program hosted by the University of Wyoming's Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA).

Nancy Norton, of the Norton Law Office LLC in Jackson, will address several legal topics for new caregivers. The program can be uploaded and available for viewing beginning Wednesday, Aug. 14, by clicking here. The program also may be found through the YouTube search feature by accessing "Wyoming Dementia Together - Once Again."

Viewers are invited to subscribe to the channel and hit the "like" button. Both actions will help the channel grow and reach more caregivers of loved ones with dementia. Comments and questions from viewers are encouraged in the section below the posted interview.

In the latest program, Norton will offer specific considerations for those who have just taken on caregiver responsibilities. She says some helpful choices will be discussed, not just for the individual being cared for.

"Power of attorney for finances and power of attorney for health care are two critical documents for everybody over 18," Norton says, adding that these are in addition to a will or a trust. "Those are the primary documents that folks should have in place, no matter what age."

All of the information she offers on "Once Again" should be considered possibilities for care; Norton recommends seeing a qualified attorney for direction on specific legal matters. She has been an attorney for more than 25 years, specializing in estate planning and elder law. She holds a law degree from New England Law in Boston and a B.A. in economics from Boston College. Norton has practiced law in Wyoming for the past 10 years.

"Once Again" is coordinated through the WYCOA-sponsored WDT group, which includes dementia care professionals, licensed clinical social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and caregivers.

For information about free services offered by WDT, call WyCOA at (307) 766-2829 or email [email protected].

For more information, go to the WDT Caregiver Network website.