Planning for incapacity 

Incapacity refers to a person’s inability to make decisions or take actions on their own behalf, due to a medical condition or mental state. Various medical conditions can lead to incapacity, and these conditions can affect a person’s physical, mental, or cognitive functioning. As we age, our risk for incapacity becomes greater due to age-related diseases. 
Here are some examples of medical conditions that can cause incapacity:

                                                   Neurological Conditions
Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias: Progressive conditions that lead to  memory loss, cognitive decline, and eventually affect daily functioning.

Stroke: A cerebrovascular event that can result in physical and cognitive impairments depending on the area of the brain affected.

                                                   Mental Health Disorders
Severe Depression: Can significantly impact a person’s ability to make decisions or function in daily life.

Schizophrenia: A mental disorder that affects a person’s ability to think, feel, and behave clearly.

Bipolar Disorder: Alternating periods of extreme mood swings, affecting decision-making and behavior.

                                                Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Resulting from a head injury, TBI can cause cognitive impairments and affect decision-making and everyday functioning.

                                                        Physical Disabilities
Paralysis: Loss of motor function due to spinal cord injury, stroke, or other medical conditions.

Degenerative Musculoskeletal Conditions: Conditions like severe arthritis or muscular dystrophy that limit mobility and activities of daily living.

Sensory Impairments: Severe vision or hearing loss can impact decision-making and daily functioning.

                                                         Chronic Illnesses
Chronic Kidney Disease: In advanced stages, it can lead to cognitive impairment and difficulty managing daily tasks.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Can cause shortness of breath and reduced physical capacity.

                                                          Terminal Illnesses
Advanced Cancer: In the late stages, it can cause severe physical and cognitive decline.

End-Stage Heart Failure: Severe heart disease that significantly limits physical and cognitive function.

Coma or Persistent Vegetative State (PVS): Resulting from severe brain injury, stroke, or other conditions, individuals in a coma or PVS are unable to respond to their environment.

                                                Substance Abuse and Addiction
Chronic substance abuse can lead to impaired decision-making, cognitive decline, and incapacity.

It is essential to plan for potential incapacity before your health is in jeopardy.  By planning for incapacity with the advice of an estate planning attorney, you can plan for your incapacity beyond the standard language templates offered by non-attorneys and sold in stores.  Designating a trusted individual to make financial and healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated is essential to ensure your wishes are followed and to relieve your loved ones from the burden of making difficult decisions on your behalf. 

Being diagnosed with a condition that may deem you incapacitated at times does not necessarily mean that you cannot prepare a plan.   Consulting with an attorney and healthcare professionals is important to ensure appropriate planning and decision-making based on the specific circumstances and conditions involved.