We all know about the upcoming presidential election. Whatever your politics are, and whether or not you plan on voting, you’re likely reading this article because you have an older loved one that you are at some point in the process of helping with senior care. And because this is a website devoted to helping the elderly, it would be irresponsible of us to ignore the topic of dementia and how it can impact someone’s ability to vote.
This is an important conversation as we approach the election because historically, people that are aged 65 and above represent one of the largest sections of the voting public. During the 2018 election, more than 66 percent of people that were above the age of 65 voted. Compare that to the just over 35 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 29.
Dementia is far more prevalent in our society than it has been in the past. While deaths from heart disease have risen in frequency by about 7 percent over the last 20 years, the frequency of deaths related to Alzheimer’s disease has risen by 146 percent. This means that a large portion of individuals that will be voting are more likely to be suffering from some sort of cognitive decline than ever before.
If you have a loved one that suffers from dementia, their ability to vote might be of big concern to you. Are they allowed to vote? Is there anything that you need to know before they can cast their ballot?
Under current federal law, yes, people with dementia are allowed to vote. As long as the person is above the age of 18, registered, and a legal resident, dementia does not disqualify someone from voting. However, some states may have other regulations in place that you need to be aware of. Because voting is such a fundamental constitutional right, it is not something that can be taken away with ease. Still, it’s important that you go to an attorney with any questions regarding this. Even though it’s a fundamental right, your state may have rules and regulations that you need to abide by. Do keep in mind though that no state has the authority to override federal law.
Voting is your right as an American–even if you or a loved one suffers from dementia.
This doesn’t mean that life with dementia is easy. Dementia can hit a family hard. Some families adapt and are able to help their loved one. Some are not able to do so. Some find they can do it for a little while, but as time goes by it becomes more and more difficult. Odds are, if you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, you’re probably in this middle category.
Our caregivers are professionally trained to better understand and meet the needs of folks with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. If you’re looking for help with care, please feel free to reach out to us. We can answer your questions and help you find the care your family needs.
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