Page 23 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - August 2019 - 26-08

Many of us delay completing end- of-life planning because we feel it is too early to think about such processes or do not want to think about what those processes might mean. Alternatively, we might not be sick yet or believe we will have time to do it tomorrow. The fact
is that you will never know when you will need yours to be ready. As such, the best time to finish your advance care planning is right now – before that need arises.
This same MDHHS website has a link to frequently asked questions document about the patient advocate designation, which is an excellent source for additional information. The FAQ sheet explains what a patient advocate designation is, notes why it is important to your pre-planning efforts, and answers various questions regarding how to complete it.
Consider what happens if you were to suddenly become incapacitated, struck by an illness or injury that might leave you unable to make important healthcare decisions for yourself. You may want
You will want to share your com- pleted advance directive documents with several important people, including your primary care physician, designated patient advocate, and other family mem- bers. This would be a great opportunity to talk to your immediate family and/
or close friends, too, so you can inform them all of the decisions you have made and ensure everyone hears the same thing. This hopefully leads to you get- ting the best care when the time comes, and minimize misinterpretation regard- ing your choices.
to write down your preferred care plan in an advance directive to prepare for that possibility, as doing so will help ensure your wishes are honored. There are many types of advance directives with different names, including health- care power of attorney, patient advocate designation forms, and do not resuscitate orders, among others.
You also have the opportunity to include your advance directive on the Peace of Mind Registry, a free and voluntary statewide registry that can be accessed at www.mipeaceofmind. org or by calling 1-800-482-4881.
Guardian
Senior Times - August 2019
Page 23
Empowering Lives, Guiding Futures
Here to Help with life’s challenges
Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services (Guardian) has been a trusted service provider in Southwest Michigan since 1966.As a 501( c )3 nonpro t corporation, our professional and compassionate staff provides a complete network of public duciary services to improve the lives of more than 1,200 clients each year.
Our core business has historically been in the court-appointed services of guardian- ship and conservatorship, though we also serve as representative payee, by appoint- ment of the Social Security Administration, andVA duciary, by appointment of the Veterans Administration.
Money Management Trust Management VA Fiduciary Guardianship
We are seeking to grow our services for the general public.These include trust management, nancial power of attorney agreements, and money management programs, preventive offerings that can help people remain independent, avoid nancial crisis, and prevent the need for court intervention.
We are a social enterprise driven by our nonpro t mission, and simultaneously working to maintain our successful business. Our services are supported
by client fees that are necessary to cover service costs, and our fee schedule is adjusted to accommodate each client’s ability to pay.
• Financial Power of Attorney • Special Needs Trust
• Representative Payee
• Conservatorship
Visit our website for more information www.yourguardian.org
693 Capital Ave. SW, Unit #3 Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-963-3253
PRE-PLANNING: THE TIME IS NOW
serve in such a capacity.
Filling out a patient advocate des-
The topic of pre-planning is near
and dear to us at Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services. We all too often have little information about the indi- vidual for whom we are now expected to make life decisions once appointed as his or her legal guardian. It is so much easier to ensure we are caring for those we serve according to their wishes when the information is already in place. Our role is then to simply follow the plans each individual has established for him or herself.
ignation also allows you to write down your personal wishes. You will want to take your time completing this element and carefully consider your options for each of the difficult situations. Think about the treatment you would like under various circumstances, then make note of which life-sustaining measures you would be comfortable receiving and which you are not comfortable undergo- ing.
FINANCE & ADVOCACY
Robert Copeland, CEO, Special to Senior Times
The Michigan Department
of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) website (https://www. michigan.gov/mdhhs/) offers a fillable patient advocate designation form in its Healthcare Coverage – Advance Directives section.
The form allows you to select a patient advocate to carry out your wishes or makes decisions about your care, but only when you are so ill or injured that you are unable to do so on your own. This individual is typically a spouse, adult child, or close friend, but should
be someone you trust, who can handle the responsibility, and who is willing to
The Peace of Mind Registry allows healthcare providers to retrieve and access uploaded advance directives and ensure they have access to their patients’ care plans.
THE YELLOW TRUCK PEOPLE
Studies have shown that individuals who plan out their healthcare and end- of-life wishes spend less time in hospi- tals, receive fewer intensive treatments, and have an overall greater quality of life. In addition, their loved ones expe- rience lower rates of stress, anxiety, and depression during already-difficult times, making advance directives a win-win for everyone involved.
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