According to the World Health Organization, Dementia is a syndrome of a chronic or progressive nature in which there is a deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from normal aging. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgment, but consciousness is not

Senior adults who suffer violence, sexual assault, neglect, financial fraud and other forms of mistreatment — often at the hands of family members or paid caregivers — are victims of elder abuse. No official crime called “elder abuse” exists. However, the many types of exploitation that elder abuse encompasses often are criminal acts that can

As people go through life, they may develop illnesses or sustain injuries that affect their ability to manage important decisions regarding their healthcare, finances, or other affairs. Some of the issues that can result in mental incapacity include Alzheimer’s Disease, a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, or dementia. In situations where the person has

When a person dies with a properly written, signed, and witnessed Will in place, the administration of the estate usually proceeds without difficulty.  Unfortunately, some people die without a Will or with a Will that is invalid due to the failure of the Will to conform to the ‘formal’ requirements for a valid Will established

What Is an “Incapable” Person? When an adult person due to illness (such as dementia) or a brain injury is no longer able to care for themselves and/or make decisions, a legal guardian can be appointed, known as a ‘committee’. Under the Patients Property Act, two different kinds of legal guardians can be appointed by the

Financial abuse affects thousands of older Canadians each year. Sometimes, this abuse is perpetrated by a person in a position of trust, such as a family member or financial professional while, in others, a stranger who befriends the victim is involved. Many older adults are hesitant to report financial abuse because they are embarrassed or

British Columbia law sets out many different requirements1 for a last will and testament to be valid and enforceable. For example, the will must be in writing, it must be dated, must be signed and witnessed appropriately, and you must agree with the provisions in the will without feeling pressure or being misled by anyone