How the Dementia and Life Care Planning Center Supports Families Through Every Stage of Care

Posted on May 2, 2026 by shieldsandboris

Dementia is a very challenging medical condition. According to data from Alzheimer's Disease International, there are nearly ten million people dealing with some form of dementia in the United States. Families need to be prepared to navigate the care process.

At The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris, we offer The Dementia and Life Care Planning Center to people and families in Western Pennsylvania.

Dementia is Can Put Big Demands of Families and Loved Ones

Dementia is a degenerative condition that is notoriously difficult for families. When a loved one, whether an elderly parent, a grandparent, or anyone else, is diagnosed with dementia, that can be a heavy burden. The diagnosis places pressure on a family from every direction at once. Memory loss rarely stays confined to forgetfulness. Dementia is far more comprehensive. Unfortunately, cognitive decline affects judgment, safety, communication, finances, medication management, and the ability to live independently. Families often face overlapping problems: a parent may start missing bills, repeat financial transactions, leave the stove on, resist help, or be unable to manage appointments or care decisions.

We Built a Practice to Help Families Take On these Challenges: The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris built the Dementia & Life Care Planning Center as a dedicated division of its elder law practice because Alzheimer’s disease and similar diagnoses create a distinct set of legal, financial, and caregiving problems that ordinary estate planning does not fully address. It is our mission to help families respond to every challenge posed by chronic illness or disability while promoting the health, safety, well-being, and quality of life of the elderly and their families.

Early-Stage Planning is Designed to Preserve a Vulnerable Person’s Voice and Legal Authority

Dementia care planning is most effective when it starts early. A proactive approach is the best approach. Early-stage support matters because legal capacity can narrow as dementia progresses. The sooner you get started, the more options you will have available to take on the challenges. We crafted our life care planning as a holistic, elder-centered legal process, and that approach aligns with the realities families face after a diagnosis. It is the window to put powers of attorney, advance directives, wills, trusts, and long-term care instructions in place, which may not remain open indefinitely. Among other things, an early-stage plan helps with:

  • Wills;
  • Trusts;
  • Powers of attorney;
  • Advance directives;
  • Medicaid eligibility;
  • Asset protection; and
  • VA benefit qualification.

Our Pennsylvania elder law attorneys work to translate a diagnosis into a coordinated legal plan while the client can still participate meaningfully in decisions about finances, health care, future housing, and who will act if capacity declines further. The key point to remember is that legal planning works best when it happens early enough for the person living with dementia to help shape the plan. If dementia has progressed, a vulnerable person may, unfortunately, lose their voice in the process.

Crisis Care Planning Steps In When Home No Longer Feels Safe

The reality is that there may come a point at which dementia care planning is best viewed as a form of crisis planning. Many families do not call an elder law firm at the first sign of trouble. That is entirely reasonable. While a proactive approach is best, dementia is a difficult condition that can progress in unpredictable ways. Our elder law team is more than ready to step up during a crisis.

We can help families who are supporting a loved one with dementia with a Crisis Care Plan. Broadly explained, that is a form of life care planning that is designed for situations where a person can no longer live safely at home without assistance or has already moved, or will soon move, into assisted living or a nursing home. Our crisis-oriented services include:

  • A comprehensive individual assessment;
  • A home safety assessment;
  • The creation and implementation of a life care plan;
  • Relentless advocacy;
  • Proactive discharge planning;
  • Home repairs or modifications;
  • Medical appointment assistance;
  • Medical equipment assistance;
  • Medicare and Medicaid help;
  • Money management and financial planning assistance; and
  • Guidance and support in navigating Pennsylvania law.

Middle and Later Stages Require Ongoing Education, Coordination, and Advocacy

A dementia diagnosis changes over time, so support has to change with it. We are proud to have an interdisciplinary team of professionals who work tirelessly to identify current and future care needs, locate appropriate care, and help ensure quality care. We provide care planning to help caregivers manage the stages of the disease and offer education on stage progression, communication needs, behavior interventions, and caregiver stress. That language matters because later-stage dementia rarely turns on a single legal document. Families need help understanding why communication has changed, how behaviors may escalate, what level of care fits the person’s condition, and how to coordinate physical, social, and financial needs as the disease advances.

We are Leaders in Dementia and Life Care Planning in Western Pennsylvania

The key point for families to remember is that Dementia is a challenging, degenerative condition that can be extremely challenging to deal with. At The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris, we go above and beyond to provide guidance and support to the people and families who need help the most. Our Dementia and Life Care Planning Center was developed with people like you in mind. We are here to support you through every stage of the care process.

Contact Our Pennsylvania Dementia and Life Care Planning Lawyer Today

At The Elder Law Offices of Shields & Boris, our Pennsylvania elder law attorneys have extensive experience in dementia and life care planning. Give us a call at (724) 235-7939 or contact us online to set up a completely confidential, no obligation initial consultation. We provide dementia care planning services throughout Western Pennsylvania.



Download an eBook!