3 Documents You Need To Sign When You Get Older
As you get older, you need to make sure that all of your needs and property are taken care of exactly the way that you want. In the case of an issue, such as if your mental health deteriorates to the point where you no longer are able to make decisions and protect against your interests, you want to make sure that you have a safeguard set of documents that will ensure that you are taken care of. Set up these three documents in order to solidify the future of your life and property.
1. Durable Power of Attorney for Finances and Healthcare
The main document that you need to set up is one that declares that a trusted friend or family member has power of attorney over your finances and healthcare. This essentially means that this person will be able to make decisions for you if you are physically or mentally incapacitated. You want to make sure that you specify that the person whom you appoint has power of attorney for both healthcare and financial decisions.
In order to make the most of this document, you need to ensure that the person whom you appoint completely understands your wishes and will be willing to act on them. You will also need to make sure that this document is in place long before you start to have any mental problems, such as Alzheimer's, or else your power of attorney documents will not be able to function.
2. Release-of-Information Form
The next form that you will need to prepare is a release-of-information form. This form essentially tells your doctors that it is okay to release your medical information to a select group of people. This will ensure that those who take care of you have the information they need to make decisions that are best for you. You will want to make sure that your power of attorney is one of the people who can receive medical information about you.
3. Advance Directives
This form allows you to determine what you want to happen when you reach the end of your life. If you don't want to be resuscitated, it includes a Do Not Resuscitate order. If you want to continue receiving lifesaving medical care until the end, then it will also specify that. This document will ensure that the end of your life goes the way that you want.
For more information, talk to an attorney like Cormac McEnery that specializes in elder law.
