By: Lois G. Tager, M.Ed., CSA and Dedra Jize, OT, CSA
Geriatric Care Managers, Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law
As we age or a ‘significant life event’ occurs, people often find themselves wondering if they have ‘covered all the bases’ in their legal planning.
Below are some commonly asked questions.
- I have not yet prepared a Living Trust, Property Power of Attorney, or Health Care Power of Attorney. Are these estate planning documents necessary?
- When is a good time to review my Trust documents?
- Are my Power of Attorney documents thorough enough for my designated Attorney-in-Fact to have the powers to do all they may ever need to do, including Medi-Cal planning?
- Do those who I have appointed as Attorneys-in-Fact have copies of all my legal documents and know the location of the originals?
- Have I had the conversation with those who love and care for me about my end-of-life wishes? Do they have a copy of my Health Care Power of Attorney (aka HCPOA or Advance Health Care Directive) which they will take to the hospital in the event they are called upon to act on my behalf as I have directed in my HCPOA?
- Have I completed – with a doctor’s signature – a POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) and have it at my bedside should emergency medical technicians come to my home and want to perform treatment that I may not want?
- Do I have emergency contact information in my wallet should a medical emergency occur while I am away from home (including: diagnosis, medications, or any other pertinent information)?
If you have any of these questions or other senior issues you want help with, please contact one of the Geriatric Care Managers at the Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law. The first 15 minute consultation is free/no obligation.
