Brian Wilson, 81, was cared for by his wife until her death last month. Its representatives are requesting guardianship.
Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson, who co-founded the legendary group and composed most of the album Pet Sounds, suffers from dementia at the age of 81, court documents obtained by WECB.
In a conservatorship petition filed Wednesday in Los Angeles, the singer-songwriter’s representatives revealed for the first time the extent of his cognitive decline, saying Wilson is ” unable to adequately meet personal needs for physical health, food, clothing or housing “. Representatives say Melinda Ledbetter Wilson, Wilson’s wife of three decades, took care of his daily needs until her death last month.
The document requests that Wilson’s longtime publicist and manager, Jean Sievers, and his longtime business manager, LeeAnn Hard, be named co-conservators of his personal and medical affairs only, not his estate. Indeed, Mr. Wilson’s financial assets are held in a trust. “ Mr. Wilson will remain at home, and Ms. Sievers and Ms. Hard intend to ensure that all of Mr. Wilson’s daily needs are met and that he receives the best care possible while remaining at home », Promises the document.
The request states that Brian Wilson would find “ emotionally very stressful » and physically difficult to attend court hearings in person. “ He is easily distracted and often makes irrelevant or incoherent spontaneous remarks. said the statement from Dr. Stephen S. Marmer, professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine.
Mr. Wilson also has a “ very short attention span and, although unintentionally disruptive, is often unable to maintain the decorum appropriate to the situation “, says the doctor, who adds that Wilson takes a medication called Aricept to treat his dementia. The doctor notes that Wilson has difficulty following instructions for shorter periods of time, except when taking singing lessons or during physical therapy. “ This is due to long-standing muscle memory. It is more a sign of reflex than of cognition », writes the doctor.
Mr Wilson’s family released a statement on their website on Thursday confirming that the musician was in good hands following the death of his wife. The request for guardianship is “ coherent » with the couple’s previous projects. Wilson’s seven children, his guardian Gloria Ramos and his doctors all support the move. “ Brian will be able to enjoy his family and friends, continue working on his current projects and participate in the activities of his choice. » A hearing is scheduled for April 26.
Sievers told WECB : “ We appreciate the overwhelming outpouring of love and support for Brian. Although Brian has dementia and is grieving the loss of his beloved wife Melinda, he is physically healthy, lives a full life, and is currently working on projects. As co-conservators, we will ensure that all of Brian’s daily needs are met and that he continues to live an active life. »
Brian Wilson has spoken openly about his mental issues in the past. During an interview with Larry King in 2004, Wilson and Melinda said he suffered from a form of schizoaffective disorder. He described making a “ slight nervous breakdown » in the 1960s, hearing voices in his head and dealing with bouts of depression.
