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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
Critter Corner: An Advance Directive Specifically for Dementia
Dear Angel, I recently read about Advance Directives that deal only with dementia. What is included in them and is it a good idea to create them in addition to other incapacity planning documents? Thanks! Dee … [Read more...]
A New Miracle Machine Can Keep You Alive Even When Your Heart Stops
Q. My husband, Phil, and I have been married for thirty years. We were faced with a heart-wrenching situation recently, when Phil’s father had a heart attack and was on life support in the hospital. He didn’t have an Advance … [Read more...]
Critter Corner: What is a POLST Form and Does it Replace an Advance Directive?
Dear Hayek, When reading about Advance Medical Directives, I saw something about a POLST form. What exactly is that, and if we have one, do we need an Advance Directive also? Thanks! Paul Stuh --- Dear Paul, A POLST … [Read more...]
Advance Directives for Dementia: Making Your Voice Heard When You Can No Longer Remember
Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. At that rate, in 2050, it is estimated that the number of people living with dementia will increase to more than 130 million. … [Read more...]