'Star Trek' Star Nichelle Nichols Diagnosed with Dementia. Accusations of Senior Abuse.

According to reports, like so many others on Earth, Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols has dementia. Now there are accusations of senior abuse.

Recommend This Page
'Star Trek' Star Nichelle Nichols Diagnosed with Dementia. Accusations of Senior Abuse.
3 Min Read August 29th, 2018 Updated:August 16th, 2021

According to reports, like so many aging Americans on the planet Earth, "Star Trek's" Nichelle Nichols has been diagnosed with dementia. 

Her conservatorship documents obtained by the website TMZ say she has significant impairment in short-term memory and moderate impairment when it comes to abstract concepts, time, place, and recall. 

In 2015, she suffered a mild stroke while at home. Often a stroke can lead to mild to progressive cognitive impairment. Dementia usually requires supervision and long-term care services and supports.

The 88-year-old was America's first black woman to star in a primetime show after being cast in 1966 as Nyota Uhura on Star Trek. Media reports say she was diagnosed with dementia officially in 2018.

Now legal papers file with the Los Angeles district of the Superior Court of California describe allegations of sustained elder abuse. 

Nichols began her show business career at age 16 as a singer with Duke Ellington in a ballet she created for one of his compositions and later sang with his band. After switching to acting, she was nominated twice for the Sarah Siddons Award for best actress in "The Blacks" and "Kicks and Company." Her film debut found her dancing with Sammy Davis Jr. in Porgy and Bess (1959). A guest appearance on The Lieutenant (1963) led to an offer from Gene Roddenberry to join the cast of Star Trek (1966). Her best-known role on the series is communications officer Lieutenant Nyota Uhura. She later repeated her role in a string of successful Star Trek films.

Sustained Elder Abuse

Her former manager Gilbert Bell, who spent about a decade living in a guest house on her Woodland Hills, California, is being accused of exploiting her. Her son, Kyle Johnson, has filed for conservatorship of his mother because her health has made her a prime target for senior exploitation.

Unfortunately, those living with dementia are at a higher risk of financial exploitation since it is easier for family members, close friends, caregivers, and even financial advisors to manipulate them or trick them into giving up assets and other valuables. Many of these people are paying for care out of savings or have friends or family provide caregiving services.

Health insurance, including Medicare and supplements, will not pay for most long-term health care. Medicaid will pay for long-term care services but only if the person has little or no income or assets. Long-Term Care Insurance will also pay for care, but you must purchase a policy when you are younger and enjoy reasonably good health.  

Dementia - A Huge Worldwide Problem

Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia. Every year, there are nearly 10 million new cases. In the United States, one in three seniors dies with some form of dementia or Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. This is more than both breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. The result is billions in caregiving costs and impact on families and their assets.

People require long-term care due to illness, accidents, or the impact of aging. Planning in advance with affordable Long-Term Care Insurance will safeguard your savings and reduce the burdens that are otherwise placed on family members as you grow older. Your loved ones will have the time to be family instead of caregivers. 

The cost of long-term care services gets more expensive yearly and varies depending on the type of care required and where you live, according to the LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator - Resources for Long-Term Care Planning | LTC News.

There are several types of affordable options available - Are All Long-Term Care Insurance Policies the Same? | LTC News. Premiums are based, in part, on your age when you obtain coverage, the total amount of benefits being purchased, your health, family history, and other factors. However, affordable options are available if you get coverage in your 40s or 50s - How Much is Long-Term Care Insurance? | LTC News.

Recommend This Page

About the Author

An LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.

LTC News Contributor James Kelly

James Kelly

Contributor since August 21st, 2017

Editor's Note

The problem of long-term care is both a cash flow issue and a family issue. Preparing your family and finances for the financial costs and burdens associated with long-term health care is key to enjoying a successful future retirement.

Many resources are available on LTC NEWS that help educate you about the options available to you to safeguard savings and income and reduce the stress on your loved ones from the costs and burdens of aging and changing health. 

As you prepare for your future retirement, better consider the physical, emotional, and financial burdens that get placed on you and your family.

Available Resources on LTC NEWS

Find all the resources on LTC NEWS - Resources for Long-Term Care Planning | LTC News.

You can compare the major insurance companies that offer Long-Term Care Insurance products here - Top Insurers for Long-Term Care Insurance | LTC News.

Find a Trusted and Qualified LTC Specialist

Be sure to seek the right type of professional help. Premiums can vary by over 100% between insurance companies, so a skilled and trusted professional can help you navigate the many companies and options.

A qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist will help you obtain the best coverage at the best value. Discover a licensed and trusted pro to assist you and your family - Work With a Specialist | LTC News.

LTC NEWS - An Advertising and Marketing Partner

LTC NEWS offers many marketing and advertising opportunities, including sponsored content and sponsorship of critical areas of the website. These marketing opportunities are ideal for businesses, including, but not limited to:

  • lawyers
  • financial advisors
  • home health agencies
  • assisted living facilities
  • adult day care centers
  • rehab facilities
  • memory care facilities
  • senior living centers
  • nursing homes
  • real estate professionals

LTC NEWS is a great option if your business wants to reach decision-makers researching care options for a parent or loved one.

Drive traffic to your website and find the people interested in your products and services by using LTC NEWS. Plus, you can improve your website's SEO so more consumers can find you when they search for your services.

Learn more about how LTC NEWS can help you market your business, drive traffic, and improve SEO - Advertise With Us | LTC News.

Become a Guest Contributor for LTC NEWS

You can improve your website or blog's SEO and gain exposure and traffic at the same time by being a contributor to LTC NEWS.

Just write a story or ongoing column for LTC NEWS. Stay on topic with articles on health, aging, caregiving, retirement planning, long-term care, and other topics that interest adults over age 40. 

You can even promote yourself, your business, and your website or blog. However, it must have editorial content exclusive for LTC NEWS and cannot be just an advertisement. It can include links to other sites, and you can share the article link once published on your website or social media.

Email your story idea or article: newsroom@ltcnews.com - LTC News Contributors | LTC News

Share News with LTC NEWS

Include LTC NEWS in your press release distribution. If your group, organization, business, political committee, etc., have news to share, send it to LTC NEWS. Email - newsroom@ltcnews.com 

Reverse Mortgages Can Be Part of a Plan

If most of your assets are tied up in your home, today's reverse mortgages might help as the solution for either funding Long-Term Care Insurance or paying for care - Reverse Mortgages | LTC News.

Need Care Now? Need Help with LTC Insurance Claims?

You might have a parent or other family member who needs care now. If they have a Long-Term Care Insurance policy, be sure they use it. Get free assistance in making a claim. 

LTC NEWS provides free assistance with no obligation - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim | LTC News. You can also help find caregivers and get recommendations for a proper care plan, whether a person has a policy or not.

LTC News Trusted & Verified

Work With a Trusted Specialist

Get Accurate Long-Term Care Insurance Quotes

  • Has substantial experience in Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Strong understanding of underwriting, policy design, and claims experience
  • Represents all or most of all the leading insurance companies
man and woman sitting at desk
Latest
  • Latest

  • Oldest

Everything
  • Homecare

  • Health

  • Government

  • Care Facilities

  • Pets

  • People

  • Lifestyle

  • Insurance

No Results

Step 1 of 4

Find a Specialist

Get Started Today

Trusted & Verified Specialists

Work with a trusted Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist Today

  • Has substantial experience in Long-Term Care Insurance
  • A strong understanding of underwriting, policy design, and claims experience
  • Represents all or most of all the leading insurance companies

LTC News Trusted & Verified

Compare Insurers

+