Caring
News for Caregivers
Council
on Aging for Southeastern Vermont
SENIOR HELP LINE 1-800-642-5119 Ocotober
2003,
V.1 Issue 5
Autumn Plans: Preserving the Fruits of Our Labors
Fall planning gives us a sense of securing and protecting our home and family for the long winter months ahead. Guessing how many garden veggies to preserve, how much heating fuel will be needed, when to put the snow tires on and checking over our warm clothing or cold medicine supply. It's the proverbial game of wondering what this winter season will bring. Those that have survived Vermont winters know that you can't do it without using your knowledge of winters past. Caregiving is a lot like planning for winter.
You plan ahead based on what you have weathered and experienced. Many caregivers are unprepared for the strain that caregiving can put on a family's relationships, their finances or physical health. Most find that when it comes to planning for their own future care needs they would like things done differently. They don't want their loved ones to anguish over what should be done. They don't want children to sacrifice the quality of their own lives to care for them.
They do want quality of care and they do have definite ideas on how, when, and where they want it. However, if they don't take the time to say this, don't take the time to write it down, it may never get known to those who need to know most - their family and future caregivers. Now is the time we must take charge and plan our future care needs. Don't wait until it is too late!
Caregiving Questions to ask Yourself
What tasks do I want to do myself?
What do I want someone else to do?
Who do I want to handle my money?
When do I want that person to start?
What kind of oversight do I want?Remember if you plan, you are in charge.
Legal Terms
- Durable Power of Attorney is a type of power of attorney that remains valid even if the principal has become incapaciated. To be durable, the power of attorney document must include specific words set forth in the statute.
- Fiduciary: A fiduciary is someone who has the responsibility of acting in the best interests of another person, rather than in his or her own interest.
- Living Will: Is a written document, also called a terminal care document, that says that a person does not want extraordinary measure used to prolong life if that person becomes terminally ill.
Taking Charge: Plan Now for Future Financial Control
You are in charge. Each of us needs to plan for our future but most of us find it difficult to start- we're busy, we are fine, we don't want to think about it. However, if you plan now, you will be in charge of how your affairs will be handled in the future, even if you no longer are able to handle those matters yourself.
The Vermont Ethics Network has just published a new booklet, "Taking Charge: Plan Now for Future Financial Control" to help guide Vermonters as they plan for their own future care needs and for families who will be or are currently caregivers.
Call the Senior Helpline 1-800-642-5119 for a free booklet (Supply limited)
The Browns' Story:
Planning Ahead Can Avoid GuardianshipMrs. Brown had just died after a long illness. The Brown's daughter, Pam, wanted her father to execute a durable power of attorney. Mr. Brown said that it was unnecessary, because unlike Mrs. Brown, he was in excellent health. He assured his daughter that he planned on being around for a while. He was only 62, he still played tennis every week, managed his small catalogue business and had passed his last physical with flying colors. He told his daughter not to worry. He would execute a durable power of attorney when he turned 65.
Several months later, Mr. Brown was in a serious automobile accident. He needed surgery to repair a badly shattered arm. He developed a blood clot during surgery and he had a stroke. He was unable to talk and he did not respond to written notes. He did not recognize Pam. Pam realized that she would have to start managing her father's affairs. Although she could take care of some things, she had no way to cash his pension check, manage his catalogue business or sell the car that he had listed in the paper.
She decided to petition for guardianship. She was discouraged to learn it could take months before guardianship was in place. She was uncomfortable including specific information about her father's condition in the petition. He had always been a very private person, and the probate court register knew her father because he often played tennis with her brother. She also was upset to learn that her father would have to undergo an evaluation and the court would have to find him mentally disabled before it could appoint a guardian.
Pam wished that her father had executed a durable power of attorney. She was sure that he would have if he had understood the alternative.
Need a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care?
Call VT Ethics Network for a copy of the guide book Taking Steps at:
1-802-828-2909Website Resources:
Aging with Dignity
www.agingwithdignity.orgVermont Ethics Network
www.vtethicsnetwork.org
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