If we had a crystal ball and could see into the future, we would not need to get our affairs in order and prepare ahead for end-of-life decisions.
James was 62 years old when a stroke made it impossible for him to communicate with his family. Neither his wife nor children knew anything about his financial or medical information. James had always taken care of things himself and left no written directives on his behalf. Besides having to locate important documents, the family was now left to make their own decisions about James long-term care. This is why getting your affairs in order is crucial.
The National Institute on Aging gives three simple, but important steps to putting your affairs in order:
- Put your important papers and copies of legal documents in one place. You could set up a file, put everything in a desk or dresser drawer, or just list the information and location of papers in a notebook. If your papers are in a bank safe deposit box, keep copies in a file at home. Check each year to see if there's anything new to add.
- Tell a trusted family member or friend where you put all your important papers. You don't need to tell this friend or family member about your personal affairs, but someone should know where you keep your papers in case of emergency. If you don't have a relative or friend you trust, ask a lawyer to help.
- Give consent in advance for your doctor or lawyer to talk with your caregiver as needed. There may be questions about your care, a bill, or a health insurance claim. Without your consent, your caregiver may not be able to get needed information. You can give your okay in advance to Medicare, a credit card company, your bank, or your doctor. You may need to sign and return a form.
Preparing Advance Directives or Living Will
Advance directives are legal documents that state the kind of medical care or end of life decisions you want made in your behalf. It is an essential step to getting your affairs in order because it is a way for you to communicate your wishes to family or health care professionals. Emergency response medical personnel cannot honor Advance directives or living wills. They are required to save and stabilize a person for transfer to a hospital or emergency facility. Once at the facility a physician will honor the directives.
The Living Will as part of your directives gives your consent or refusal for sustained medical treatment when you are not able to give it yourself. If this document is not in place then a family member or physician will decide such things as:
- Resuscitation if breathing or heartbeat stops
- Use of breathing machines
- Use of feeding tubes
- Medications or medical procedures
Advance Directives and Living Wills are legal throughout the United States; however, some states may not honor other states' directive documents. Be sure to check with an attorney licensed in the state that you live in for their requirements.
Review your directives periodically. They do not expire, but your wishes may change! A new or revised Advance Directive (more commonly known now as Health Care Power of Attorney with Living Will) invalidates the old one. Be sure your family member or healthcare agent you have named has a current copy.
Choosing a Power of Attorney: They are not all created equal!
General Power of Attorney - authorizes someone to handle your financial, banking and possibly real estate and government affairs as long as you remain competent.
Special Power of Attorney - authorizes someone you designate to handle certain, specific things you cannot do yourself for a period of time.
Durable Power of Attorney -The general, special and health care powers of attorney can all be made "durable" by adding certain text to the document. This means that the document will remain in effect or take effect even if you become mentally incompetent.
Many people do not know the difference between a general and a durable power of attorney. A general power of attorney is a document by which you appoint a person to act as your agent. Agents are authorized to make decisions for you, sign legal documents, etc. Many people are unaware, however, that a General Power of Attorney is revoked when the person granting that power becomes incompetent or incapacitated. It is the "Durable" Power of Attorney that allows for an agent to continue making decisions on your behalf no matter what happens to you.
A responsible adult child of an aging parent would be given a "Durable Power of Attorney" to act on behalf of the parent. This provides broader authority than just simply adding the child's name to bank accounts and documents.
See the National Care Planning Council for more information. If you are ready to start getting your affairs in order, book a call with one of our staff members or give us a call at 276-629-5381. We have offices located in Bassett, Danville, and Lynchburg to better serve you!
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