Legal Considerations for an End-of-Life Plan

Legal Considerations for an End-of-Life Plan Planning ahead can bring you peace of mind today. Your End-of-Life plan can be as easy as taking a few first legal steps and completing a few legal forms. Consider the following recommended steps for your End-of-Life plan: Prepare an AHD Consider preparing a living will and/or advance healthcare directive (AHD) or medical power of attorney. Choose Representatives Consider appointing a Healthcare Proxy and/or a Financial Power of Attorney. A Healthcare Proxy Person you appoint to legally speak on your behalf and make healthcare decisions if you are unable to. A Financial Power of Attorney Person you appoint to legally act on financial matters if you are unable to. Prepare a Will Identify your final wishes for your funeral services and for distributing your financial and digital assets and other possessions after your death. Complete these documents if you want them as part of your End-of-Life plan: Organ Donor Form This form provides legal proof that you want to donate your organs or tissue. Do Not Resuscitate Order This document states your preference not to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation performed to save or prolong your life. Physicians Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) A POLST is a physician-signed order that explains your wishes for End-of-Life care. Final Steps to take to ensure your legal choice are honored: Store documents Store documents in a secure, easily accessible place, such as a home safe, a safe deposit box, or with a person you trust. Copy documents Make copies for your loved ones, healthcare provider and other trusted advisors. Create a letter or video Consider writing a letter or making a video to help explain your feelings or choices. O passare Simplifying End-of-Life Management Twitter @ Passarelnc http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db54.htm Facebook facebook.com/passareinc http://www.nhpco.org/press-room/press-releases/new-study-advance-directives Tumblr passareinc.tumblr.com BE