When the subject of estate planning arises, most people just think about the financial component. Indeed, it is important to clarify your final wishes for your assets and execute the appropriate documents to direct the transfer of assets to your loved ones after your death. But a estate plan must also consider how your family will care for you if you are incapacitated and unable to communication. A critical part of this planning is a living will. If you were following the news cycle during … [Read more...]
Alzheimer’s Looms Large for Seniors
The prospect of developing Alzheimer's disease late in your life may not be a very pleasant one, but it is a real one all the same. If you knew that there was a significant possibility of encountering some type of challenge in the future, you would probably want to prepare in advance to the best of your ability. However, many people go through life without planning ahead for the possibility of incapacity. Approximately one out of every eight senior citizens is suffering from Alzheimer's … [Read more...]
Make Sure Health Care Proxy Can Access Health Care Information
If you have not done so already you may want to discuss incapacity planning with an estate planning lawyer as soon as possible. Incapacity planning is important for people of all ages, and while it includes both property and health care issues, the document most people are familiar with is a living will. To see why this is important, look no further than the case of Terri Schiavo. This young woman fell into a vegetative state after suffering full cardiac arrest while she was in her 20s. She … [Read more...]
When Dementia Strikes, Who Makes The Decisions?
Being aware of the challenges that often confront senior citizens is important when you are planning for the eventualities of aging. Along these lines, you should know that the segment of the population that is 85 years of age and older is growing faster than any other. And given the capabilities of medical science, we expect lifespans to continue to expand. When you reach an advanced age, you become more vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease. As you probably know, Alzheimer's causes dementia; and … [Read more...]
Have You Considered Becoming An Organ Donor?
There was a time when you could be provided with a certain diagnosis by your doctor that was equivalent to a death sentence, but these days medical science is capable of some amazing things. Certain failed organs can be transplanted, and thousands of lives are saved every year through successful transplant surgeries. One of the primary challenges lies in the fact that there are always more people in need of transplants than there are available donors. With this in mind, when you are … [Read more...]
3 Absolutely Essential Health Care Documents
So long as you are able to make your own health care decisions, you will continue to do so. But, if there comes a time, and there usually does, when you are not able to make health care decisions on your own, it is imperative that you have these 3 absolutely essential health care documents. 1. A medical power of attorney is essential The medical power of attorney is a power of attorney for a specific use -- granting consent to medical treatment. You appoint a health care agent to act on … [Read more...]
