Seniors and Pain
List of Important Life Documents
Care Directive – A set of specific instructions meant to direct a person’s medical care in the event he or she contracts a life-threatening illness or injury. Care directives are prepared in advance and are referred to when and if a person becomes too ill to participate in the direction of his or her care.
Health Care Proxy (or Medical Power of Attorney) – A legal document, often provided by the hospital, in which a competent and trusted individual (called an “agent”) is designated as the health care decision maker for a person (called the “principal”) who is no longer able to make health care decisions.
Last Will and Testament – The absolute latest existing legitimate will or testament executed by a person before his or her death. This document nullifies all the previous will and testament executed by a person.
Living Will – A legal document outlining specific medical treatments and procedures a patient wants used – or not used - in the event that he or she becomes too ill to direct medical decisions. Living wills often focus on resuscitation and life support measures, and usually (though not always) state that the patient does not want to have his or her life prolonged through medical technology and does not want to be kept alive by heroic measures.
Power of Attorney – A legal document giving one person (called an “agent”) the power to make legal decisions about the property and finances of another person (called the “principal”). The agent’s rights and authority over the principal’s affairs can be limited or broad, depending on need.
Additional Household and Financial Documents
Health Care Proxy (or Medical Power of Attorney) – A legal document, often provided by the hospital, in which a competent and trusted individual (called an “agent”) is designated as the health care decision maker for a person (called the “principal”) who is no longer able to make health care decisions.
Last Will and Testament – The absolute latest existing legitimate will or testament executed by a person before his or her death. This document nullifies all the previous will and testament executed by a person.
Living Will – A legal document outlining specific medical treatments and procedures a patient wants used – or not used - in the event that he or she becomes too ill to direct medical decisions. Living wills often focus on resuscitation and life support measures, and usually (though not always) state that the patient does not want to have his or her life prolonged through medical technology and does not want to be kept alive by heroic measures.
Power of Attorney – A legal document giving one person (called an “agent”) the power to make legal decisions about the property and finances of another person (called the “principal”). The agent’s rights and authority over the principal’s affairs can be limited or broad, depending on need.
Additional Household and Financial Documents
- Mortgage paperwork
- Bank statements
- Credit card statements
- Income tax files
- Titles and trusts
- Marriage licenses and divorce papers