Preparation of Legal Documents

Preparation of Legal Documents

Durable power of attorney for health care:

A power of attorney allows a person to act on another’s behalf in legal or business matters. A durable power of attorney for health care takes that a step further and allows you to make necessary health care decisions for your aging parents.

Those may include: consenting to or refusing any care, procedure or treatment; making arrangements for hospitalization or psychiatric treatment; managing access to medical records; and deciding to move your parents to long-term care.

This power of attorney should include what’s known as a “HIPAA release,” which will grant you access to your folks’ medical records and give you the ability to discuss their care with their doctors.

Medical directive (living will):

Families caring for elderly loved ones often face the difficulty of making medical decisions for them while trying to adhere to their wishes. This is where a medical directive, also known as a living will, comes in.

A medical directive, which is considered legally binding, should include detailed directions regarding matters such as resuscitation, invasive life-sustaining measures, pain relief, antibiotics and more.

One way to ensure you have all of the health care paperwork covered is to use the convenient “Five Wishes” advance directive from the nonprofit organization Aging with Dignity.