By Susan M. Graham, Certified Elder Law Attorney, Senior Edge Legal, Boise, Idaho
Many of the men, and some women, who help with the corners of my life, such as working in my office, mowing my lawn, delivering my mail, all disappear for a few weeks in the fall. They are off hunting. Seems a good idea to me and an excuse for being outside during a colorful time of the year.
How do guns relate to estate planning? What if a gun owner has dementia or as they age they have less physical ability. The unhappy statistics include the following concerns:
- One-third of people over age 85 have some form of dementia[1]
- Households with guns are less safe than their counterparts – facing higher risks for accidental death, suicides, and domestic homicides.[2]
- The most common means of suicide for those over 75 is firearm suicide.[3]
- Caretakers and family members are concerned that family members with dementia will mistake them for an intruder and shoot.[4]
The basics of Estate Planning is “Planning.” That means address potential problems before they arise. First, start with a conversation of what to do with guns should the owner have an event of dementia, incompetence, or death. Then reduce the results of that conversation to writing, so everyone is clear about the steps to take should those events occur. We, at Senior Edge Legal, have such a form that we provide to our clients. Click here for the form.
Gun safety is a focus for all of us, gun owners and those who don’t own guns. If you are a gun owner, or love someone who owns a gun, plan for the future use of guns to avoid an unintended tragedy. The form I have provided is a good start.
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Do you have a written estate plan that protects your future and your loved ones? Call to schedule a meeting with Susan Graham to give you peace of mind that your affairs are in order (phone 208-344-0375 or Contact Us on our website).
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Undoubtedly you have thought of someone who could use our services. If so, please have them call us at 208-344-0375. Introductions and referrals are the lifeblood of our practice. Thank you.
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[1] See National Institute of Aging, “What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?” December 24, 2019,
[2] Harvard TR.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Injury Control Research Center, “Harvard Firearms Research: Homicide,” March 14, 2023
[3] Melissa Block, “Firearms and Dementia: How do you Convince A Loved One to Give Up Their Guns? November 13, 2018
[4] Dale Russakoff, “Guns in Frail Hands, “N. Y. Times, July 14, 2010
