Critter Corner: Driver Cessation and the Advance Driving Directive

Dear Angel, My mother has had Parkinson’s for 5 years and is a little shaky, but her doctor says she can still drive for the time being. Unfortunately, when the time comes for her to give up the car keys, I see it being a very … [Read more...]

Planning Your Own “Unique” Funeral — a Scary Undertaking?

Renato Bialetti's family placed his ashes in a replica coffee pot urn. Q. I recently read about a funeral for 50-year-old Renato Garcia, where his body was on display at his own wake, wearing a Green Lantern costume. When asked … [Read more...]

Our Top 10 Scariest Articles of 2016 (If You Dare)

With Halloween upon us, now is the time when we present you with this year’s scariest stories. From one typo costing you your computer to loved ones with Alzheimer's owning guns, we uncovered some scary ground. To celebrate … [Read more...]

Making Health Care Decisions for Someone Else

A lifelong family friend asked Jane if she would be her health care agent under an Advance Medical Directive (AMD) she was planning to sign. Jane didn’t know what to say or think, so she said, “Sure. I would be happy to.” But she … [Read more...]

Do New Electronic Medical Record Systems Make It Difficult to Access Advance Directives?

Q. I have heard several horror stories about Advance Directives being unavailable when needed, as more hospitals are implementing new systems to store and access electronic medical records. Or, in other cases, patients’ documents … [Read more...]

Why Every College Student Should Have an Incapacity Plan

Q. My 18-year old daughter, Madison, will be a freshman in college in the fall. At her high school graduation party, my friend Phil told me that he is already doing estate planning for his own daughter, and he told me that it is … [Read more...]

Do Not Resuscitate Orders Being Placed Without Patient Consent?

All of us can be lulled into believing we’ve got plenty of time, until something unexpected happens. Whether it’s a car accident, a heart attack, a fire, or a stroke, those who procrastinated and didn’t plan in advance often kick … [Read more...]

The Most Important Awareness Day of the Year (and only 20- 30% realize it!)

Anne is 71 years old, and her health is rapidly declining. When her time comes, she is confident that she wants to donate her organs to help someone else live a longer and healthier life. She also wants to be buried next to her … [Read more...]

Now You Can Clone Grandma — April Fool’s Joke . . . or Not?

Q. I am very close with my 100-year-old grandmother, Emily. She is a remarkable, accomplished woman who went to college (which was rare in her time) and became a successful brain surgeon. She is also a very talented artist. I … [Read more...]

Virginia’s New Emergency Contact Program

Q. Last week, my husband got into a car accident. It was minor, luckily, and although he was a little shaken up and had whiplash, he was fine otherwise. When he called us from the hospital, the children and I were extremely … [Read more...]

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