At our Semi-Annual Economic Luncheon this month, we had the privilege of hearing from Glen
Smith, JD, founder and attorney at Lifescape Law and Development. Glen's presentation on
eldercare planning was one of the most impactful moments of the afternoon, and it is a topic I
believe deserves far more attention than it typically receives.
Glen has spent over four decades in the legal profession. He began his career in traditional
estate planning, drafting wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. But over time, he noticed
something. The questions his clients were asking had changed. They were no longer just asking
what would happen to their assets when they passed away. They were asking much harder
questions: How do I get the care I need? Who is going to pay for it? My spouse is overwhelmed.
What do we do?
That shift led Glen to reframe the entire conversation around eldercare. As he put it to our
audience:
"The question used to be, what happens to you when you die? To your stuff
and to your loved ones? The bigger question today is what happens to you,
your loved ones, and your stuff if you get sick and don't die."
It is a question that stops you in your tracks, and it is one that most families have not adequately
planned for.
The Numbers Are Sobering
Glen shared several statistics that underscored the urgency. Seventy percent of us will need
some form of assistance by the time we reach 65.1 One in three people will die of Alzheimer's or
dementia. One in nine aged 65 and older have already been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.2 And
500,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.3
Perhaps the most surprising finding Glen shared was about loneliness. Loneliness accounts for
a 31% increase in the risk of Alzheimer's,4 and 21% of Americans over 50 are now living alone.5
In a room full of people focused on financial planning and investment strategy, the reminder that
isolation is one of the greatest threats to an aging population was powerful.
Direction, Not Intention
One line from Glen's presentation has stayed with me since the event. He told the room that
direction, not intention, determines your destination. Many of the families he works with come in
with good intentions. They know they should plan. They know they need to address these
issues. But without a plan that actually moves them in the right direction, good intentions alone
will not protect them.
Glen outlined five areas that every family needs to address in their eldercare planning:
healthcare, housing, finances, legal, and family. These are not areas that can be handled in
isolation. They intersect and overlap in ways that require a coordinated, multidisciplinary
approach, which is exactly what Glen and his team at Lifescape provide.
Why This Matters for Financial Planning
As a wealth manager, I see firsthand how an unexpected health event or long-term care need
can reshape a family's financial picture. The costs of care, the legal complexities, the emotional
toll on spouses and children: these are not abstract risks. They are realities that many of our
clients will face. Having conversations about eldercare planning now, while you have the time
and the clarity to make good decisions, is one of the most important things you can do for your
family.
Glen's presentation was a reminder that financial planning is about more than markets and
portfolios. It is about protecting the people you love and ensuring that you are prepared for
whatever comes next.
Learn More
If Glen's message resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out to his team at Lifescape
Law and Development at lifescapelaw.com. And if you would like to discuss how eldercare
planning fits into your broader financial strategy, our team at Cramer Capital Management is
here to help.
Warm regards,
Bruce Cramer
President and Wealth Manager
Cramer Capital Management, LLC
100 N Mill St, Smithville, MO 64089
Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered
through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Cetera is under separate
ownership from any other named entity.
Sources
1 Administration for Community Living. How Much Care Will You Need? https://acl.gov/ltc/basic
needs/how-much-care-will-you-need
2 Alzheimer's Association. 2026 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. alz.org/alzheimers
dementia/facts-figures
3 Alzheimer's San Diego. Alzheimer's Facts and Statistics. alzsd.org/resources/facts-stats
4 National Institute on Aging. Loneliness Linked to Dementia Risk in Large-Scale Analysis.
nia.nih.gov/news/loneliness-linked-dementia-risk-large-scale-analysis
5 AARP. Older Americans Are Redefining Aging Alone. aarp.org/family-relationships/solo-aging
This article is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information on the subjects covered. It is not
intended to provide specific legal, tax, or other professional advice. For specific professional assistance,
the services of an appropriate professional should be sought. Glen Smith and Lifescape Law and
Development are not affiliated with Cetera Wealth Services, LLC or Cetera Investment Advisers LLC.
Information is believed to be from sources considered reliable; however, accuracy and completeness
cannot be guaranteed.