Retirement can be a rewarding time in your life where you can focus solely on your and your life pursuits. However, at some point or another, you may have to have a medical procedure or your health could take a downturn. No one wants to think in those terms, however, you should be prepared for it. In order to avoid having your family fight about your care if you are incapacitated, you need a living will or some type of life directives in place to take care of your wishes when you cannot express them on your own.
An advanced directive is a legal document that you help create with your attorney who states what kind of medical treatment and procedures you want or do not want on the chance that you become unable to communicate them yourself. Basically, there are two types of these directives you should know about - a durable power of attorney and a living will. These are both legally binding documents that you can either create on your own using a template or you can employ the services of an attorney to handle it. Each state differs slightly in what types of documents will be recognized legally. You have the power to adapt these documents as time goes on or get rid of them all together.
A living will spells out your wishes in regards to your medical care and treatment. Discuss whether you wish to be resuscitated if you stop breathing. Do you want to be kept alive on a respirator and/or with feeding tubes? There are a lot of gray areas you have to consider, so you will need to really think hard about your wishes.
A durable power of attorney allows a person you designate to make your medical edicts or you should you not be able to voice them on your own. This person with the power of attorney does not always have to be a family member, just someone you trust implicitly to abide by your wishes.
It is the responsible thing to do to create a power of attorney and a living will. That way there are no mistakes or misinterpretations about your health care in the event that something happens to you. Be sure to create specific instructions so there is no doubt in the mind of the surrogate (the person who you give power of attorney to) as to what you would want done. This is especially important for end-of-life decisions.
While you are still in excellent health, be sure to discuss your wishes of medical treatment, health care and end-of-life wishes with your spouse or significant other as well as close family members, your primary doctor and even your priest. With many people knowing your wishes, it will make it easier on those close to you should your power of attorney or living will not be drawn up yet.
Don't put off this necessary step of your life. No one wants to think about dying. However, think about how your family will feel if there are no advance directives in place and crucial decisions about resuscitation and continued respiration are necessary. Don't force them to make such agonizing decisions; take charge of your life and create those necessary advanced directives as soon as possible.
