As we age, protecting our vascular health is just as important as monitoring our cardiac health, yet many people (including many cardiologists) completely overlook the vascular system and vascular screenings — until it’s too late. The heart is of course part of the vascular system, but the vascular system is much MORE than just the […]
Can You Donate Your Pacemaker and Other Internal Medical Devices When You Die?
If you have a pacemaker and/or an ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator) or know someone who has a pacemaker and/or ICD, please read this important article. Each year, approximately 2.5 million individuals all over the world will die due to the unavailability of pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators. This does not need to be the case, […]
It’s National Estate Planning Awareness Week — Take Advantage of this Important Week to Get Your Planning in Order
Dear Angel, I read somewhere that this week is National Estate Planning Awareness Week. How can I convince my family and friends that they need an estate plan? Thanks for your help! Planna Head — Dear Planna, Nearly 56 percent of all Americans do not have an up-to-date estate plan. And 40 percent of Americans […]
Why Would a College Student Need a Power of Attorney?
Dear Hayek, Our son is heading to college for his sophomore year in a couple of weeks. Last year, I was worried about him adjusting socially and doing well academically. Now that I know he is happy there, has a nice group of friends, and has been on the Dean’s List for both semesters of […]
Comparing a Typical Advance Medical Directive to the Farr Law Firm’s 4 Needs Advance Medical Directive®
Benjamin Franklin once said “(n)othing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Today (April 16) is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day for health care decision planning. And, in keeping with Franklin’s famous quote, each year National Healthcare Decisions Day is observed the day after Tax Day. National Healthcare Decisions Day is […]
How Can Seniors Make the Most of Financial Literacy Month?
Dear Angel, I just read that April is Financial Literacy Month. What are some things I should think about when it comes to Estate Planning and retirement planning this month? Thanks for your help! Fi Nanshill — Dear Fi, Every April, we celebrate Financial Literacy Month to promote financial education and well-being. Financial Literacy Month […]
April Is Organ Donation Month: What You MUST Do if You Are Considering Organ Donation
Q. I have heard so many stories about organ donation, mostly positive. I’ve read about how many people need organs and how many lives just one person who is an organ and/or tissue donor can save. I think I may want to sign up, and I’m figuring out the next steps to take. Can you […]
Talking With a Loved One About Their Health Care Wishes in Advance
Dear Angel, I am planning on getting my incapacity planning documents in order soon and would like to talk to my brother about being my health care agent. What are some of the topics I should think about prior to getting the documents done and things I should discuss with him in advance? Thanks for […]
What You Can and Can’t Do With a Power of Attorney
Q. My brother, Larry, who never married or had any children, asked me to be an agent under his Medical and Financial Powers of Attorney. Before I accept, I’ve been reading about what my role would entail. I am also considering getting my own estate planning in order. I was wondering if you could clarify […]
Does Morphine Hasten Death?
Q. My mother is 82 and has dementia. Her condition has gotten worse and hospice has been suggested. I have heard that hospice often involves administering morphine to the patient to make them more comfortable. Does morphine hasten death? I want my mother to be comfortable, but I have heard stories about it from friends […]
95-year-old Becomes Oldest Organ Donor in US History
Cecil Lockhart was a 95-year-old veteran from West Virginia. He worked in the West Virginia coal mines for more than 50 years, and also served as a corporal in the United States Army during World War II. He was married to his wife, Helen, for 75 years and had a daughter, two sons, three grandchildren, […]
Fast-Forward: PBS Helps Viewers Take Control of the Rest of Their Lives
Planning ahead can be difficult, daunting, and emotional. Many people put it off until it’s too late. Still, every day is a new opportunity to change that. In the film Fast-Forward, four millennials & their baby boomer parents go through an “aging bootcamp” to see their futures and attempt to answer the question, “If you […]
What Should I keep in Mind When it Comes to Incapacity Planning?
Dear Hayek, I am planning on doing my incapacity planning soon. I always like to plan ahead for everything. What are the varied medical issues and methods of intervention that a person should keep in mind in order to be thoughtful and thorough when doing incapacity planning? Thanks for your help! Planna Head — Dear […]
When Dad Does Not Want a Feeding Tube
Dear Hayek, My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s nearly ten years ago. His worsening condition and the coronavirus pandemic have prompted him to get his incapacity planning, estate planning, and long-term care planning in order. He and my mother heard that Parkinson’s patients lose the ability to swallow in the final stages. My father’s joy […]
One Vital Step This Doctor Wishes Everyone Would Take
Q. A few years ago, when we first got married, my husband, Logan, and I decided to paint the living room in our new home. It sounded like a great idea at the time, but we didn’t get very far. We ended up hiring someone, but kept the super heavy-duty face masks we bought for […]
How Docubank is Protecting Our Clients During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear Magic, I read Mr. Farr’s recent article about the importance of estate planning and incapacity planning during the Coronavirus pandemic. I’m convinced that it’s certainly wise to do my planning now. One thing I’m concerned about, however, is how the hospital and my loved ones would access my documents should the need arise. Do […]
Plan Ahead to Live Longer
Dear Hayek, I read somewhere that if you plan ahead for the end of life that you will live longer. Is this true? Thanks! Liv Lawnger — Dear Liv, According to a recent study, what you say is true, but the study only applies to terminally ill patients. Still, as I will explain, planning in […]
Alternate Endings: Six New Ways to Die in America
Attitudes about death and end-of-life choices are rapidly changing in America. As the baby boomer generation is aging, more and more people are rethinking the ways end of life is recognized and are deciding to take control of what will happen when they die. Some people who are nearing death and others who are recently […]
Living Together Without Tying-the-Knot? Why Estate Planning is Imperative!
Marjorie (66), a widow, and Stan (67), a divorcee, have lived together for six years. A decade before, Marjorie watched her husband suffer from Frontotemporal Dementia, which caused him to be violent towards her, until he entered a nursing home and died three years later. Stan also had a difficult marriage and an even tougher […]
Man in Vegetative State Kept on Life Support for a Year to Boost Hospital’s Transplant Survival Rates
Q. I just read a very disturbing article about Darryl Young, a 61 year old Navy veteran who was kept on life support for a year while in a vegetative state. Members of the medical staff didn’t offer options such as hospice care to his family because they wanted to make sure Young lived at […]
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