'But I was in medicine too long to assume either that dementia will signal its onset in time to do something effective, or that it needs to be dementia at all. A bad-luck metastatic solid tumor can (and does, routinely) randomly take any older adult in 6-24 months from the first symptom, and the proverbial bus or a sudden cardiac event takes no time at all.'

Thanks sutton. Very Interesting topic which we all need to consider carefully. My father went from a healthy 76yo to passing in only 6 weeks in 2014 from a very aggressive lymphoma. My wife is a 5 year breast ca. survivor (dx at age 42). So I've considered the potential of these issues, yet I have not done too much other than the usual estate planning with life ins., wills, POAs, trusts and the occasional meeting with a free Fidelity CFP who does not manage our assets but only adds commentary and runs scenarios.

When Dad died, my 85yo mother met with the estate planning & wealth management team. They took responsibility of managing half of her assets with not insignificant fees, and the other half was spun off into a family trust (upon Dad's passing) which my brother and I manage.

I am upper 50's and recently entered the draw down phase, but we have not yet thought thru the what ifs of cognitive decline. Dementia is in our family history but usually well into the 9th decade of life, but you just never know. My wife has no real interest or skills wrt investing. I may start with an inquiry to my CFP and/or estate planning attorney for their thoughts as well.

Peace and good health to all!