Powers of Attorney - Medical "Safety Net" for Seniors, We Need To Consider

[SeaBreeze]

As seniors, we need to think of things like giving someone the power of attorney, in case we are no longer able to make medical decisions for ourselves. For those of us who haven't done so yet, it's something to think about. Here's just a bit of information, with a couple of useful links...

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There may come a time when seniors will have to make a medical decision, but are not capable of doing so because of compromised competency or other disabilities that leave them unable to advocate for themselves. While this can be a challenging point in time for both individuals and their loved ones, a medical power of attorney is there to help them handle this situation, stepping in to ensure that every health care choice coincides with seniors' wishes.

That being said, you will have to do a great deal of preparation in anticipation of this occurring, working with seniors and their families to guarantee you are all on the same page so each potential medical decision matches people's desires.

Explain your obligations

First and foremost, before any legal action is taken, you should sit down with seniors so you can thoroughly discuss what a power of attorney does and what it would mean to their medical care further down the road. You will want to go over all of your duties, so they know exactly what would come from filing the paperwork to appoint you as power of attorney.

For instance, they should be aware of the extension of your rights as power of attorney. The American Bar Association explained that once seniors' health care providers find that these patients can no longer make or effectively communicate decisions about their medical treatment, you will take over as the person legally responsible for choosing the course of action and carrying out their wishes.

Explain to them that in this case, you will have the right to refuse, withdraw or give your consent when it comes to seniors' treatment plans, surgeries, medications, tests and any other kind of care. This includes choices about where they are receiving treatment - whether it be a hospital, assisted living facility or nursing home - as well as who is administering or managing their care, such as physicians, nurses and even social workers.

Lastly, you will want to clearly communicate that you would have to make postmortem decisions in terms of how their remains would be handled, if they would serve as organ or tissue donors and if anything would be used for research purposes.

Full Article here: http://www.sunriseseniorliving.com/...-serve-as-medical-safety-net-for-seniors.aspx

 

[Warrigal]

Hubby and I have made wills and conferred enduring Power of Attorney and Medical Guardianship on each other and on our daughter. That way, when we are too incompetent to care for each other or handle our money, she can take over seamlessly. The documentation is very important because even with the papers, it is still hard to get some organisations to recognise your advocate. Without them it is impossible.

 

[Vala]

You need more than that. You need a living will and a comfort care document. Everyone is familiar with a living will the one that keeps you from being hooked to machines. The CC document is an order that covers meds that will prolong your life. The CC document goes by a different name in different states.