Advance care planning is for every competent person of all ages. This process provides legal documents that help to ensure that your wishes for medical care are respected and followed, especially at crucial times when you cannot communicate and advocate for yourself.
A knowledgeable estate planning attorney will discuss many topics that fall under advance care planning prior to drafting any documents. It starts with educating you on the various options regarding life-sustaining measures so that you can become clear on your wishes. Those wishes are then incorporated into an advance directive comprised of two components – a health care power of attorney document and a living will.
The healthcare power of attorney document will select a trusted individual to be named as your healthcare agent. This person will make medical decisions on your behalf when you are not in a position to do so for yourself. The document describes which powers are conveyed to this person and how and when the person can step in as the agent.
The living will provides detailed information on treatment preferences for various types of medical situations. The agent named under the healthcare power of attorney document will use these written instructions in the living will to guide his or her decisions made on your behalf. To even further assist a healthcare agent in the future, it is extremely valuable to build your own Medical Emergency Packet while still of sound mind.
The Contents of an Emergency Medical Packet
1. Your Healthcare Power of Attorney document and Living Will. The documents discussed above should be the first items in your packet. These provide the legal authority to allow your agent to step in and make decisions and provide guidance on your medical wishes.
2. List of Medications. This should include both prescription and over-the-counter medication and dosage information. In an emergency, this information can be crucial and life-saving.
3. Allergies. Provide a list of allergies, typical responses and best course of action to take when a reaction occurs.
4. List of Medical Providers. Provide a detailed list of all medical providers, what condition they treat and up-to-date contact information.
5. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order. If you have physician-signed DNR order or POLST form, this should also be included in your packet.
6. Insurance. Provide copies of both sides of your most up-to-date health insurance cards including any supplemental insurance like Medigap or prescription plans like Medicare Part D.
7. Identification. Keep a copy of your driver’s license or valid photo identification as well as your Social Security number in your packet.
Inform trusted family members and caregivers of where they can access your Emergency Medical Packet when needed. This packet should be given to paramedics responding to 911 calls and made available to any medical provider. Remember to review the file periodically and keep it updated. For more information on advance care planning and estate planning contact the compassionate estate planning attorneys at Stouffer Legal in the Greater Baltimore area. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599, emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com, or register for an upcoming free webinar using the link below:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/483002683038496012
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2975170032206802443
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2024991874688696592
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4513474760412467725
