Mental Health
Dementia Causes Jay Leno's Wife Mavis to Sometimes Forget Him
Jay Leno's wife, Mavis Leno, is struggling with the effects of her advanced dementia.
According to court documents recently accessed by the Daily Mail, the comedian's wife is already grappling with advanced cognitive decline.
The deterioration has reached a point where she intermittently fails to recognize her husband and struggles to recall her own birth date.
The revelation sheds light on the heartbreaking reality of the Leno couple's 43-year marriage, as Jay petitioned the Los Angeles Superior Court in January for conservatorship over Mavis, citing her incapacity to manage her affairs independently.
Court-appointed attorney Ronald Ostrin recently provided insights into Mavis' condition, saying she's been suffering from severe disorientation and has the tendency to reminisce about her deceased loved ones, including her mother who passed away two decades ago.
Despite her cognitive impairment, Ostrin described Mavis as a "delightful person" with a "charming personality."
Dr. Hart Cohen, Mavis's neurologist, corroborated Leno's concern for his wife's well-being, affirming the former talk show host's unwavering care and respect for Mavis.
Scheduled for a hearing on April 9, the conservatorship petition aims to safeguard Mavis's interests while preserving her dignity and safety.
Despite the distressing nature of her condition, Mavis has reportedly expressed consent to her husband acting as her conservator.
Leno's attorneys stressed that despite his wife's condition, Leno is committed to ensuring Mavis's ongoing care and financial security.
Once the petition is granted, Jay will be "responsible for making all decisions based on the scope that the court gives him," Sodoma Law principal attorney David DuFault told People
"Generally, courts like to be as least restrictive as possible."
DuFault continued, "I would guess that given her age, given the idea that there is or appears to be a dementia diagnosis, it could be a very broadly crafted order that says that the petitioner has authority to make all kinds of decisions for her, which could be dealing with financial assets, selling real property, making decisions about beneficiary designations."
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