How To Make End-Of-Life Decision?
- Michaell Bay
- May 3, 2023
- 5 min read
Life no matter how much you enjoy it, once you are getting close to the end then there are some critical decisions that you will have to make while aging. There are numerous decisions that one person has to make once they realize they are aging and might not have enough time here and the decisions can be of many factors and aspects. Some of these decisions include legal and health related decisions that ensure you make every decision as you want and provide a sense of guidance to your family about making end-of-life decisions for loved ones.
Once you have completed the legal documentation and paperwork, your next step should be to have a brief meeting with your family and people concerned with the decisions and tell them the reason behind the decisions that you have made. This blog will help you on how to make end-of-life decision that can ensure that everything happens as you want it to happen.
Documents That Everyone Should Have
1. Advance Health Care Directive
It is a very important end-of-life decision which is basically done on a document. Based upon your selection, it gives a person the right to make decisions about your healthcare when you aren't able to speak up for yourself. Here are some things that you should know about advance health care directives:
Every hospital and majority of the doctors will provide this form once a person requests to obtain it.
The other name for this document is living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare.
Every state might have a little difference is such forms but it will be honored and followed in every other state.
Any person who is above 18 years should have one of it.
The form should be filled when you are capable and competent enough to fill it by yourself (without dementia).
It becomes decisive when a person who filled the form is on a ventilator, feeding tubes, and other treatments at the end of life or when a person becomes unconscious for a long time.
Rather than being notarized, it should be only witnessed.
Not Having Advance Health Care Directive
Doctors by themselves will do everything to make your condition better and so that you stay alive.
The doctors will ask the family about what to do.
If your family isn't aware of what you wanted to happen, then this might lead to some sort of conflict between the family and guilt if a wrong decision is made.
2. POLST
The term POLST stands for physician orders for life saving treatment and it basically is a replacement for DNR (do not resuscitate). It is a great approach for enhancing end-of-life treatment of a person. Following are the things that one should know about POLST:
It allows any individual that is suffering from life-threatening or severe illnesses to discuss with their doctors about the treatment that they desire or don't want to have. The POLST isn't open to others because it is a physician's order and it will be discussed between the patient and doctor.
Is very important if you don't want to have CPR (Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) from 911. It might expand them to some other treatments if you agree to it.
Not Having A POLST
If 911 is called and the patient doesn't have POLST, then the EMTs will have to do everything possible in order to keep the patient alive until he reaches the hospital for further treatments
3. Will
Wills are another important aspect that requires special consideration among end-of-life decisions. The will of a person tells about how you want your belongings, property, and other assets to be divided among your family, friends or organizations once you are no more in this world. Here are some things that one should know about will:
The other names of it are last will and testament.
Different states have different laws of will but majority of the states honor the last will of a person from another state.
It is possible to fill it in handwritten or online form but it should be witnessed or notarized.
If your estate is comprehensive or of above 100,000$ worth, then the best option is to hire a lawyer who can help you in preparing the will or analyzing it for you.
It should be written when the person is competent or capable of writing it (without dementia).
When a person writes a will, he appoints an executor who will ensure that all the bills are paid and your wishes are carried out properly once you've passed away.
The probate court looks over the executor to ensure that the property has been divided as written in the will. Probate means the transfer or allotment of property once the person dies.
Not Having A Will
If a person doesn't write a will and passes away, then the matter of dispersing the property will be in the hands of a probate court. The court will decide on how to divide the property among the people close to you.
4. Durable Power Of Attorney For Finance
This attorney allows a person complete access to your finances once you are no more in this world. It includes checking a bank account, investments, and paying your final bills that you didn't pay.
It should be also completed when the person is capable enough to do it by them.
It is also valid and will work even if you are deprived of a particular skill or a little disabled.
The person should be very trustable among your circle as they will have complete access to the finances. If you don't have such a person in your circle, then consider hiring a professional to do this.
Your spouse might not have full right of access to your finances and investments unless you both are joint property holders.
Not Having Power Of Attorney For Finance
If you don't have a working power of attorney for finance and aren't able to manage the finances, then a person will be appointed to do it by a judge. You will be conserved and the person chosen by the judge will be the one doing and managing the finances of you once you pass away.
5. Final Arrangements
The final arrangements tells what you would like to happen once you die i.e. you'd like cremation or burial and it makes the family aware of your such desire. It also makes your family know about other factors such as organ donation or something else that you would like to happen when you aren't here in the world. Here are some things that a person should know about final arrangements:
The wishes should be put in a place where your family members can easily find it so that they can do everything according to your wishes.
You should make as many decisions as you can because it is tough for your family to make decisions once you pass away as they will be grieved and sorrowed over your passing. Try to make more decisions to be helpful even when you aren't any more in this world.
Not making wishes about final arrangement
Family might be having arguments or conflicts about what you would've wanted or not.
If there are conflicts, then the law will take the matter into their hands and decide who will make such decisions for the person that passed away.
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