The fall season is a beautiful time of year, yet it signals the start of flu season, potentially endangering your elderly loved ones. Thankfully, there are ways to guarantee their safety in the colder days ahead, such as being prepared to assist with their health and financial matters.
Keep reading to find out how.
1 | Create a Power of Attorney For Healthcare
A Healthcare Power of Attorney (POA), also known as a Medical Power of Attorney, is a legally binding document that grants authority to a trusted individual to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so. If your elderly loved one has yet to establish a Healthcare POA, it is advisable to take the necessary steps to create one promptly.
If your loved one already has a Healthcare Power of Attorney (POA) in place, but some time has passed since its creation, it is advisable to conduct a review. This ensures that the document accurately reflects their present medical preferences and designates a reliable individual as their representative for making healthcare decisions on their behalf.
Establishing a Healthcare Power of Attorney (POA) for your senior loved one offers reassurance, as it ensures that you or a designated trusted individual can promptly assume responsibility for their care in moments of illness or incapacity, including instances like severe flu or pneumonia. Additionally, a Healthcare POA proves invaluable in situations where you must make medical decisions during surgery or if your loved one experiences long-term memory challenges.
Vital Reminder: When establishing a Healthcare Power of Attorney for your senior loved one (or yourself), it is crucial to incorporate “living will” provisions. These provisions should be either integrated within the POA or outlined in a separate document. They specify not only the designated decision-maker but also articulate the preferences for how those decisions should be executed.
2 | Sign a HIPAA Waiver
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) safeguards individuals’ medical information. However, during flu season, it’s vital to maintain open communication with your senior’s healthcare team to stay updated about their well-being.
A properly signed HIPAA waiver grants healthcare providers permission to share medical information with authorized individuals. This becomes invaluable in ensuring that family members and caregivers are well-informed about your senior loved one’s health condition and treatment plans.
In situations where your senior may be too unwell to contact their provider or requires assistance comprehending medical instructions, a HIPAA waiver enables you to directly communicate with their healthcare provider. This facilitates efficient and seamless care for your loved one.
3 | Schedule a Check-Up
Prior to the peak of flu season, it is prudent to arrange a comprehensive check-up for your senior loved ones with their healthcare provider. This check-up allows for a thorough evaluation of their health, early identification of potential risks, and ensures that chronic conditions are effectively managed.
This proactive approach aids in detecting and addressing new health concerns at an early stage, thereby mitigating the risk of complications in the future. Additionally, scheduling a check-up now may help your senior avoid visiting a crowded clinic waiting room during the height of flu season due to an undetected health issue.
Remember to bring a copy of your senior’s Power of Attorney for healthcare and their HIPAA Waiver to their provider’s office. This will enable them to include it in their patient file, ensuring it is readily accessible if the need arises.
4 | Create a General Durable Power of Attorney
To shield seniors from exposure to fall’s flu, colds, and inclement weather, many prefer to remain closer to home. You can play a pivotal role in ensuring their safety and attending to their daily requirements by utilizing a General Durable Power of Attorney.
This legal instrument empowers your senior to designate trusted individuals to handle non-medical decisions and tasks, such as managing finances, handling bills, or making purchases.
Considering the establishment or update of a General Durable Power of Attorney is prudent, as it grants the authority necessary for someone to oversee financial and other non-medical affairs on behalf of your senior loved ones, particularly during flu season or any other period when assistance may be required.
It’s worth noting that not all banks and financial institutions uniformly recognize a General Durable Power of Attorney. We recommend confirming with your bank regarding their policies. Additionally, please do not hesitate to reach out to us promptly to facilitate the necessary arrangements for your loved one’s financial matters, ensuring you can readily step in to provide assistance, regardless of the status of their General Durable Power of Attorney.
Proactively Keeping Your Loved Ones Safe and Healthy
Providing for the well-being of your seniors extends beyond routine medical check-ups. As flu season approaches, adopting a proactive approach ensures that your senior loved ones can rely on you for comprehensive support in managing their needs. This way, they can access care that aligns with their preferences and wishes.
By adhering to these essential steps, you’ll play a crucial role in ensuring your loved ones remain safe, healthy, and well-cared for throughout the fall season and into the new year.
To ensure your senior has the necessary legal tools for a safe and healthy year, consider scheduling a complimentary 15-minute call with my office. We’re eager to share how we provide dedicated support to our clients and how we can ensure the well-being of your entire family both now and in the future.
At Cheever Law, APC, we don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death for yourself and the people you love, starting with a valuable and educational Family Wealth Planning Session. The Life & Legacy Planning Session will allow you to get more financially organized and make the best choices for the people you love. If you have already completed your estate plan, we will review that plan at your Life & Legacy Planning Session (aka Family Wealth Planning Session) to ensure that it will work the way you intend and address any holes or gaps that may be present if circumstances have changed since you executed your plan.
To learn more about our one-of-a-kind systems and services, contact us or schedule a 15-minute introductory call today.