Financial vs Medical Durable Powers of Attorney

Many of us don't know what a Financial Durable Power of Attorney and a Medical Durable Power of Attorney are or how they work. 

For now, if you can separate the two as giving power to act for you regarding your finances (Financial Durable Power of Attorney) and the power to act for you regarding your medical decisions (Medical Durable Power of Attorney).  The Durable aspect of these powers is another blog, which I promise I'll write in the near future.

If you are unfamiliar with these two types of power you can give to another person, it may sound kind of scary to give that much power to someone else.  What if they abuse this power and take all of your money?  What if they don't come to the hospital and make sure you are taken care should you not be able to speak? 

These are very real concerns and that is why it is important to choose your agents (people who step into your shoes for you when you need their help).  We'll be talking more about how to choose an agent another day, but for now, choose these people carefully, just as you will your childrens' guardians.

As a brief introduction into these two powers that are a regular part of your legal papers that your estate lawyer will help you with, take a look at the comparison table I've included here.  Even if you don't understand anything more than this table when you talk with your estate lawyer, you'll be doing better than most people.  

This topic of durable powers of attorney has so many sub-topics that it will take a while for us to work through everything.  We'll take it nice and easy and break out the chunks of information into easy to understand language.  This is a good first step.  

Take care,

Kay

Hospital Advocates: A necessity in today's world

My mom's best friend, Wilma, called last night, distraught because her husband, Chuck, is in the hospital with some very serious complications and pain. I was ready to jump in my car and drive to the hospital when she told me the doctor had not yet examined Chuck.  That sort of situation drives me absolutely crazy.  

I asked Wilma if she had contacted the Patient Advocate or Social Worker at the hospital to get some help and she had, but the woman was ready to go home as it was Friday night.  Scary situation.  It will be a very long weekend for Wilma and Chuck.  

I recently came across a program put together by Bart Windrum, Hospital Patient Advocate, which states on Bart's website:

"Axiom Action’s Hospital Patient Advocate is dedicated to, and focused on, helping patient-family members understand why we're at unanticipated risk. Bart's how-to publications and presentations tell how you can and why you must help yourself and your hospitalized loved ones. Bart's insights help providers experience their world from the patient-family's perspective."

You can find out more about Bart at:  http://www.hospitalpatientadvocate.com/.  

The reason I mention Bart's program is that my program is all about getting ready for a medical emergency, while Bart's program helps people once they are in the hospital.  Our programs complement one another and I can't wait to learn more about his program when Bart and I meet in the near future. 

I'll let you know what I learn after talking with Bart.  In the meanwhile, check out his website and his services.

Take care,

Kay