Style & Living

Giving up independence and being forced into a nursing home is one of the biggest fears elderly people have.  You may be somewhat relieved to know that as long as you have the ability to make your own medical decisions, no one can force you to go anywhere you don’t want to go. Your doctor or your nurse can’t force you.  Even a person who you appointed as your agent in your power of attorney (POA) can’t force you.  If your family is insisting that you go to a nursing home or skilled nursing facility, and you don’t want to, if you have the capacity to make the decision not to, no matter how poor that decision is, you have the right to remain home against everyone’s wishes. 

After years of hard work and preserving your assets, you’re ready to decide who will receive your belongings. Although you may be able to control the gifts you make to your children and grandchildren while you’re living, you may have come to recognize there are limits to your influence.

You have worked hard for years, have family members and friends you care about, and have approached a time in your life when “estate planning” sounds like something you should do, but you are not exactly sure why. You may feel that you are not wealthy enough or not old enough to bother or care. Or you may already have a will and feel that you are all set on that front. Whatever your current position, consider these common misconceptions about estate planning:

You have worked hard for years, have family members and friends you care about, and have approached a time in your life when “estate planning” sounds like something you should do, but you are not exactly sure why. You may feel that you are not wealthy enough or not old enough to bother or care. Or you may already have a Will and feel that you are all set.  Whatever your current position, consider these common misconceptions about estate planning that could cause you to neglect the very planning which would protect yourself and those you care about most:

When it comes to estate planning, one of the most important factors to consider is choosing the right people to be your trusted agents to step in for you if you cannot manage yourself. In order for your plan to work, you need to have people ready, willing and able to serve on your behalf.

With some hospitals around the country reporting surges in COVID-19 cases, many hospital staff members, once again, are becoming overwhelmed and trying to keep up the pace to manage the influx of incoming patients.