Parkinson’s Disease and Advance Directives: Planning for Future Healthcare Decisions
Receiving a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis can bring questions about treatment, daily activities, and what life may look like in the years ahead. Legal planning may not be the first thing someone thinks about, particularly when they are still managing their own care and making decisions independently. Parkinson’s is a progressive condition, but it does not […]
How to Create an Advance Directive: Where Do You Start?
You know you should have an advance directive. What are you actually supposed to decide before you create one? It can feel like a lot to figure out. What medical care would you want in a situation you’ve never faced? Who would you trust to make decisions for you if you couldn’t make them yourself? […]
What Does the National Council on Aging Say About Advance Directives?
Advance directives may seem like something to consider later in life. An unexpected illness or injury, however, can affect your ability to communicate your healthcare wishes at any age. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) makes this point in its guidance on advance directives. Planning ahead gives you the opportunity to make your voice part […]
What is a Health Care Power of Attorney?
A serious illness or unexpected injury can make it difficult or impossible to communicate with your medical team. If that happens, someone may need to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. A healthcare power of attorney allows you to choose who that person will be. This document is an important part of advance care planning. […]
Advance Healthcare Directive: Understanding the Documents Behind the Term
If a medical emergency left you unable to communicate, would the right documents be in place to help guide your care? An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that helps you plan for future healthcare decisions in case you become unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself. Advance directives can take different forms […]