One of the more realistic aspects that we all
really need to look at as we grow older is - who do you use as your 'enduring power of attorney' for financial decision - and other 'life (or end of life) decisions' that need to be put in place in case we are not able to do it ourselves further down the track!
It can be a bit confronting - and I am about to go thru all this re me & my hubby. We already have the Enduring Power of Attorney sorted & our wills ....... BUT .... we are now looking at an Advance Care Plan & Directive. These are legal documents that will be enforced if you are no longer able to talk or make the decision yourself. :(
Ain't none of us getting any younger ...... and now that my 'older' husband (he is 82, I am 65) has definitely been diagnosed with moderately severe Alzheimers (about half way on the Dementia Scale) - I DO actually need to have something in place, in writing, in case
I pop off the perch BEFORE him, heaven forbid! ..... Who would look after him & his affairs in my absence as he would not be able to do it himself? His twin brother is probably worse than him, dementia wise - and our step children live in NZ - we can't expect them to drop everything & come over here to take on that responsibility.
Check out this site (specifically related to Dementia - but still good info for all illnesses, even for us.)
https://www.dementia.org.au/files/start2talk/5.0.4.10%20Cartwright_Planning%20for%20the%20end%20of%20life_%20Part%20one.pdfSO ....An Advance Care Plan is essential of BOTH partners, particularly if there are no children to 'look after you' in your old age (i.e. -
Planning future care to ensure that your wishes are known when you can no longer make decisions for yourself or legally complete documents.) This document gets lodged with your GP as well as Solicitor (I guess) and you make sure your other family members know of your wishes (siblings etc.) If you don't have one of these in place - the court will decide what treatment you are or are not to receive in case of a life threatening injury or disease.
So in the Advance Care Directive - you can stipulate 'Not for Resuscitation' in the event of a major stroke/heart attack/accident if the prognosis is not for a decent quality of life upon recovery ...... we both agree on that one. Also - if you are in a coma from illness/injury (without a good prognosis as above) - do you go for antibiotics/life saving choices - or just 'made comfortable with no pain' and allowed to go with dignity? I reckon we'll both go with that one, too!
(
Advance Directive A written, legally binding document, which allows you to record your wishes for general or specific treatment you consent to or refuse under certain conditions.)
Because we live in a rural town & have no family nearby - I am considering asking a couple of close buddies if one (or both) would have their names down in case hubby outlives me & is unable to make quality decisions on his own - for them to step up to the plate & reinforce the Advance Care Directive that we have stipulated ...... because if you DON'T have one in place, someone else will be making that decision FOR you - and it may not be the one you would have chosen for yourself!!
Sorry to go all serious on this - but it needs to be 'out there' to discuss with your parents & your partner ..... cos we've all gotta go sometime! :(
