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Advance Planning
Advance Directives
Other Legal Papers
Planning for Your Family
"Don't feel like you're being morbid
because you're taking care of
business in advance. My goal is to
try not to leave things undone
because it's not going to be any
easier on anybody else."
- Ronald
This section outlines some things you can do to ensure your
wishes are understood. This can help relieve the burden on
your loved ones later.
It's important to start talking about your wishes with the
people who matter most to you. There may come a time
when you can't tell your health care team what you need.
Some people prefer to let their doctor or their family
members make decisions for them. But often people with
cancer feel better once they have made their desires known.
Advance directives
are legal papers that tell your loved ones
and doctors what to do if you can't tell them yourself. The
papers let you decide ahead of time how you want to be
treated. They may include a
living will
and a
durable power of attorney for health care.
Think about giving someone you
trust the right to make medical decisions for you. This is one
of the most important things you can do.
A living will lets people know what kind of medical care you
want if you are terminally ill (dying). It states in writing your
wishes about being kept alive by artificial means or extreme
measures (such as a breathing machine or feeding tube).
Some states allow you to give other instructions as well.
A durable power of attorney for health care names a person
to make medical decisions for you when you can't make them
yourself. (In some places, you can appoint this person to
make decisions when you no longer want to.) This person is
called a
health care proxy.
Choose a person you can trust to
carry out your decisions and follow your preferences. Be sure
to discuss this in-depth with the person you choose. They
need to know they could be called upon. They should
understand your wishes and any religious concerns you have.
Setting up an advance directive is not the same as giving up.
Making decisions now keeps you in control. You are making
your wishes known for all to follow. This can help you worry
less about the future and live each day to the fullest.
It's hard to talk about these issues. But it often comforts
family members to know what you want. And it saves them
having to bring up the subject themselves. You may also gain
peace of mind. You are making hard choices for yourself
instead of leaving them to your loved ones.
Make copies of your advance directives. Give them to your
family members, your health care team, and your hospital
medical records department. This will ensure that everyone
knows your decisions.
Here are some other legal papers that are not part of the
advance directives:
- A will divides your property among your heirs.
- A trust is when a person you appoint oversees, invests,
or pays out money to those named in the trust.
- Legal power of attorney - you appoint a person to
make financial decisions for you when you can't
make them yourself.
| Following State Laws |
| You do not always need a lawyer present to fill out these
documents. But you may need a
notary public.
Each state
has its own laws concerning living wills and durable
powers of attorney. These laws can vary in important
details. In some states, a living will or durable power of
attorney signed in another state isn't legal. Talk with your
lawyer or social worker to get more details. Or look at
your state's government Web site. (See the Resources section at the end of the booklet for more on how to get
copies of advance directives.)
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Careful planning reduces the financial, legal, and emotional
burden your family and friends will face after you're gone.
For many people, it's hard bringing up these subjects. But
talking about them now can avoid problems later.
Maybe you don't feel comfortable bringing up the subject
with loved ones. Or maybe your family simply doesn't talk
about these things. In either case, seek help from a member
of your health care team. They may be able to help your
family understand.
- Clearing up insurance issues. Contact your health
insurance company if you decide to try a new
treatment or go into hospice. Most insurance plans
cover hospice. They also cover brief home visits from
a nurse or a home health aide several times a week.
But it's wise to ask in advance. This may prevent
payment problems later.
- Putting your affairs in order. You can help your
family by organizing records, insurance policies,
documents, and instructions. You may want to call
your bank to make sure you have taken all the right
steps in doing these things. On the next page is a
checklist to share with the person who will help you
manage your affairs. (Also see the Personal Affairs
Worksheet.)
- Making funeral arrangements. You may want to help
your family plan a funeral or memorial service that
has your personal touch. Some people plan services
that are celebrations. Talk with your family about how
you want others to remember you.
| A Checklist for Organizing Your Affairs |
- If you can't physically gather important papers,
make a list of where your family can find them.
- Keep your papers in a fireproof box or with
your lawyer.
- If you keep your important papers in a safety deposit
box, make sure that a family member or friend has
access to the box.
- Although original documents are needed for legal
purposes, give family members photocopies.
See the Personal Affairs Worksheet. You can use it as a guide to the types of papers
your family will need.
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