About 50 years ago, Kenny Rogers recorded "The Gambler,” a song about two strangers on a train talking about poker. During the chorus, the gambler tells the importance of “knowing when to hold ‘em, when to fold em, and when to walk away.” Knowing when to walk away from a legal career can be difficult for someone in the early stages of dementia, and impossible in the later stages. The challenges are greater for lawyers with solo practices.
Fortunately, most state bar organizations have programs to assist lawyers with personal problems like mental health issues. Lawyer assistance programs maintain confidentiality and accept calls from lawyers and referrals from their clients, colleagues, and family. Age is a significant risk factor for dementia, so you should make it a part of retirement planning. Consider the following tips and resources to prepare for the possibility that you may experience the onset of dementia before you retire.
