End-of-life decisions are difficult and sometimes scary to make. That’s part of what can lead up to your senior postponing those decisions until she really can’t any longer. Here are some of the decisions she may want to make now.
Advance Directives
Advance directives are extremely important if your senior has specific preferences about what treatment methods she would rather have or not have at the end of her life. These directives are sometimes called a living will because the document describes end-of-life healthcare wishes. Each state has different requirements for advance directives because these are considered legally binding documents. Make sure that you understand what’s required in your senior’s state.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
The durable power of attorney for health care is an important document as well. This means that your senior is assigning someone to make healthcare decisions for her when she is unable to speak for herself or unable to make those decisions. She may have already done this when asking you to be her caregiver, whether she formally documented that or not. There are forms available from reputable sources online that can help your senior to take care of this.
A Will
Lots of people don’t bother to create a will, especially if they feel as if they don’t have very much to dole out to friends and family members. But a will can keep your senior’s estate out of probate court and can help to make sure that everything that she does have goes exactly where she wants it to go. Wills are simple documents, but some states require that an attorney prepare the will.
Funeral or Memorial Service Wishes
Some people want to leave funeral or memorial service details up to their family members, while others want to plan every single detail. No matter which camp your senior falls into, there are distinct benefits to her making some of these decisions in advance. This gives you a jumping off point, especially if she’s leaving the bulk of these decisions up to you.
If your elderly family member has been resisting talking about her end-of-life wishes or making some of these decisions, she’s not alone. It’s difficult for a lot of people to make these decisions. Hospice elder care providers can help you and your elderly family member to find the resources you need in order to get these wishes documented for her properly while she’s still able to do so.
If you are or a loved one is considering hospice care in Decatur, GA, please call the caring staff at Arcturus Hospice and Palliative Care today. Call 678-383-9973 today to speak to our care team.
Kate Gorinshteyn is the director of marketing at Arcturus Health Care. Arcturus is a fast-growing Hospice striving to provide the highest level of quality care to patients faced with life-limiting illnesses. Our goal is to make each patient as pain-free as possible and give physiological, emotional and spiritual support to both the patient and family. We understand that the decision change from curative to comfort care is difficult, and our team is trained to help you every step of the way!
We are proud to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.