Category Archives: Before You Get Sick

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What does Do Not Resuscitate Mean?

Dnr Bracelet And Hospital Form

Today, we are going to learn about a Do Not Resuscitate or DNR order. This document is important in making sure your wishes are followed when you are in the hospital, assisted living facility or nursing home.

This month we have been focusing on the health legal documents you need before you go to the hospital. If you missed any of the previous posts in the series, catch up with the links at the end of this post. 

Depending on the status of your health, the hospital may ask you or your family what your wishes are if you lose consciousness while you are in a health facility. You might have a heart attack, a stroke or stop breathing. The question the hospital is asking you is whether you want the hospital to do everything possible to keep you alive.  They are asking if you want the healthcare providers to attempt to get you breathing and conscious again. Some people, like my parents, make the decision that they have lived a full life and if they stop breathing, they want to be left to die.

You may hear other terms for this. For example, some hospitals might call this a “No Code” which means they won’t call for help to revive you if you stop breathing or are unconscious. The hospital may also refer to “allowing a natural death,” which means the same thing.

The person who you have selected to be your Patient Advocate will be the person who will decide whether you want a DNR order in your medical chart. This is another reason why you want to have a Patient Advocate form completed so everyone knows what to do if you lose consciousness. (See the previous post links below for more information on the Patient Advocate Form.) 

If you haven’t discussed this with your healthcare provider,  speak with your doctor, hospital or healthcare facility.

Have you ever had problems getting the hospital to allow you or your loved one to follow your wishes? If so, I’d love to hear from you!

Previous posts in this series:

To learn more about your stay in a hospital, subscribe to MyHealthSpin.com and receive a FREE copy of my ebook Easy Healthcare: Your Hospital Stay. CLICK HERE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD

With MyHealthspin, You Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!

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What is a Letter of Direction?

 

Smiling Little Girl With Her Father Visiting Her GrandmotherToday, we are going to discuss why you should consider having a Letter of Direction.

A Letter of Direction can really help your family when they are trying to cope with you dying and figure out how to manage your affairs. It will be tough enough on them and this will help make things a bit easier.

This month we are focusing on the health legal documents you need before you go to the hospital. If you missed any of the series so far, catch up with the links at the end of this post. 

A Letter of Direction–sometimes also called a Letter of Instruction–gives your family information about important things like your wishes for after you pass away and how to access your assets.

Typically, a Letter of Direction includes the following:

  1. The name of your advisers and their contact information
  2. A list of all your assets and debts and the account numbers
  3. The location of your safety deposit box and the key
  4. If you have an animal, who do you want to care for the pet
  5. Funeral directions
  6. What you want in your obituary

There may be other important information you add to your Letter of Direction, but the above list is a good starting point.

Although this document is certainly not required, many families have found it to be one of the most important documents they had when they suddenly lost a loved one. Planning ahead can often ease the pain and potential chaos as well as disagreements among family members. This is especially true if you are the person in your family that is responsible for paying the bills and handling the investments.

If you don’t already have a Letter of Direction in place, talk to an estate planning attorney.

Taking a little uncomfortable time planning now will help your loved ones later.

In my upcoming blog posts, I’ll discuss more health legal documents you should have in place. STAY TUNED!

Previous posts in this series:

What other information would it be helpful to include in the Letter of Direction? I’d love to hear from you!

To learn more about your stay in a hospital, subscribe to MyHealthSpin.com and receive a FREE copy of my ebook Easy Healthcare: Your Hospital Stay. CLICK HERE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD

With MyHealthspin, You Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!

 

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Make Sure You Have This Now: Power of Attorney

Power Of Attorney

Thinking about your health legal documents may not be at the top of your “fun things to do today” list. I get it. It can be scary thinking about the possibility of being temporarily or permanently incapacitated. “But I’m so healthy. That won’t happen to me.” Unfortunately, it can. Better to consider it now than when you are no longer able to handle your own affairs.

This month we are focusing on the health legal documents you need before you go to the hospital. If you missed any of the series so far, catch up with the links at the end of this post. 

Continuing with our series, today we are going to discuss Power of Attorney.  

The person designated in the Power of Attorney legally can do anything you would normally do.

The designated person can access your money, pay your bills, do your banking, decide and where you are going to live, among many other things.

If you are incapacitated for a long period of time, you need someone to handle your affairs while you are getting better.

Obviously, it is very important that you pick someone you trust. The person with your Power of Attorney can empty your bank account and make decisions for you that can greatly impact your life.

It is generally a good idea to select only one person. If you select two people, there may be disagreements among them and it may be difficult to get a clear answer on some things that must be decided. You can ask the person you are giving your Power of Attorney to discuss any significant decisions with other family members or friends, however, it is best to have one person ultimately making the decision. This is also helpful for the hospital and the healthcare providers so they know who to go to talk to for a decision.

If you don’t already have a Power of Attorney in place, speak with an estate planning attorney.

Taking a little uncomfortable time planning now could be beneficial to you and your loved ones later.

In my upcoming blog posts, I’ll discuss more health legal documents you should have in place. STAY TUNED!

Previous posts in this series:

Have you ever had problems getting your family to allow to follow your wishes? If so, I’d love to hear from you!

To learn more about your stay in a hospital, subscribe to MyHealthSpin.com and receive a FREE copy of my ebook Easy Healthcare: Your Hospital Stay. CLICK HERE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD

With MyHealthspin, You Spin Your Healthcare Your Way!