Every few weeks, the Retiree Center will present a new article in its End of Life tips series. While we know these are difficult discussions to have, our goal is to ensure our retirees get access to helpful information to help them plan safely for the inevitable. There are many ways to ensure the future includes and safeguards our individual hopes and wishes as life begins to change with increasing age.

Power of Attorney

As our loved one’s age, it is important to recognize that financial and legal decisions must be made about their end of life preparation. These are difficult concepts to manage, and oftentimes require uncomfortable conversations among family members. Additionally, elder individuals might find it hard to manage these intimate conversations on their own. It may be time to consider the benefits of speaking with legal professionals about how to best plan for the future. ;

What is a power of Attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows a subject to appoint a representative to act for them in the case that the subject is disabled and unable to act for themselves. It is encouraged that the subject chooses a representative that they trust to manage their finances, possessions, and property. The representative may also have to make healthcare decisions, oversee health records, and plan for future medical action.

There are multiple ways to incorporate a power of attorney into your life, and there is more than one path to take. You can appoint a representative to have full access to your finances, possessions, and life decisions, or you can appoint someone with limited power to manage one entity. A power of attorney can also be used to appoint someone to assist the subject with general end of life decisions. You can even appoint a representative in the case of a medical accident or emergency. While there is no clear path for every individual to choose, it may be time to talk to a legal professional about which options best suite your lifestyle.

While it may seem overwhelming to initiate these conversations early, it is important to guarantee your own satisfaction nearing the end of life. For further information regarding hospice care, please visit the National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov