A health care power of attorney, also called a health care proxy or a durable power of attorney for health care, helps protect your loved one's end-of-life wishes. It is a document that appoints a trusted individual to make decisions regarding your loved one's medical care, and it becomes effective when he or she can no longer communicate effectively or coherently with others.
Question: My 75 year old mother is at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) getting rehab after falling down and breaking her arm. Mom also has diabetes, kidney disease, heart arrhythmia, a torn rotator cuff in the arm that's broken, chronic urinary tract infections and skin wounds, and mild dementia. One and a half years ago…
Seniors and their families will be ready for the inevitable by completing this Life Legacy Checklist, which is an easy way for them to make sure everything is in order and their families are prepared.
Seniors should know that their wishes will be honored and this important tool, from the organization Aging with Dignity and offered through Home Instead, can help make sure that happens.
At age 70, you know you need to start thinking about end-of-life issues. Your children say you're young yet and keep putting off the subject. How do you begin a serious discussion that your kids can't ignore?