Taya Dunn Johnson’s world was completely shattered when her husband died suddenly at the age of 37. Worse, she and her husband never thought they would have to plan such life events in advance. He had no will, adequate health insurance or other last-minute medical documentation. Some of her financial accounts, including her loans, were linked to her husband’s bank account, but Johnson was not able to access them immediately and after she tried, the account was frozen. She had no money planned and was trying to make ends meet and take care of their three-year-old son. “Not having legal assets places a tremendous emotional and logistical burden on the surviving family member, especially the surviving spouse,” Johnson said. “It’s amazing, overwhelming and sometimes crazy,”he said.
Unfortunately, most people don’t like to talk about death, let alone make plans. But talking about end-of-life wishes with loved ones is extremely important, even for healthy people. Legal issues as well as medical conditions and requirements should also be discussed.
Why are legal and financial end-of-life plans important?
Resolving your personal and legal issues before your death will only make things easier for your suffering loved ones. With no up-to-the-minute data on their lives, the siblings are forced to manipulate complex resources while grieving the loss.
How can I make legal end-of-life financial plans?
You should work with a lawyer to prepare a will and power of attorney. A will explains how your assets should be distributed after your death and allows you to appoint a guardian for your minor children. A financial power of attorney allows someone to make financial decisions and handle your problems while you are alive if you become incapacitated.
Collect important information and documents, such as your social security number, important documents and insurance information, so that your loved ones can easily find them after your death. You also need to provide usernames and passwords. “My husband’s death taught me what additional information I might need to contact the company and close certain accounts,” Johnson said. “Having a password-protected document online cannot be overstated, especially for all email accounts.”
Why are definitive medical guidelines so important?
Everyone has a different idea of how to treat themselves when they are sick. “For some people, survival is the most important thing,” says Catherine Amarante, R.N., a healthcare decision specialist at Dartmouth Health.
“There is a whole list of what it means to live well for others. This is something special. ”
Some people want every treatment possible. For some, it may be about healing and living well.
If you do not make clear health plans and are unable to make decisions due to illness or accident, the choices you make may not always reflect your thoughts. Many states have a survivorship rule in which your dependents are the decision-makers. Unfortunately, this person may not agree with your way of thinking. This, combined with their emotional state, can lead to treatment you don’t want.
Again, the lack of end-of-life documentation places an unnecessary burden on your loved ones. Having a clear plan to follow can make this difficult task easier.
How can I make definitive maintenance plans?
Pre-Orders
Advance directives are legal documents that explain what kind of care you need if you can’t decide for yourself. “What we’re trying to do with this data is understand what’s important to you so doctors can make decisions whenthey’re not sure if you’re going to get better,” Amarante said.
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There are two main areas of senior management:
Health – Let us know what medical treatment you would or would not use to survive. It may also promote physical fitness and pain management.
Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPA) – Appoints a person to make health care decisions yourself if you are unable to make them. (This document has other names in other states, such as medical jurisdictions.)
The most important criterion when choosing your
HCPA is that you trust the person who will meet your needs. “You should choose someone you trust who will make decisions based on your wants, not what you want,” Amarante said. He has also demonstrated the ability to advocate, work with your medical team, and understand complex situations.
Once you decide on
HCPA, talk to them. “You can say, ‘You may never need to, but I want you to make decisions for me at the right time because I know you love me,'” Amarante said.
Obtaining rights is also important. No one who is unhappy should take this job.
You can contact a lawyer to fill out this form, but this is not required. Many states have their own versions that are free to use. Keep an original copy of this form at home and give one copy to your healthcare provider and one copy to your physician.
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The following are doctor’s orders that must be signed by the doctor and others, depending on the laws of your country.
Wake Up (DNR): Instructs medical personnel not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops beating.
Simple Medical Items (POLST): This form lists three medical decisions: whether to request CPR; Whether you want intensive care, selective care,comfort care or a feeding tube.
DNRs and POLSTs are not for healthy people, but for people who are terminally ill or near the end of their lives.
Eighteen months after Johnson’s husband died, her father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. After realizing how difficult things could be without a plan, Johnson and her father identified their daughter’s determination and will to live by naming her HCPA. His father’s ability to make medical decisions helped Johnson tremendously.
Financial and legal planning also eliminated a lot of stress. “While it is always difficult to deal with these issues after the death of a loved one, my experience managing the lives of my husband and father was like a nightmare,” Johnson said. “Taking the time to discuss end-of-life issues with loved ones before death should be viewed as an act of love.”
* In the event of the death of a loved one, it is important to seek legaladvice to determine the best way to manage bank accounts and other assets.
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