‘Five Wishes’ Combines Durable Power of Attorney and Living Will
Many people find it difficult to discuss plans for care at the end of life and thus put off the decisions until it’s too late. While for most, this is something that they think about in old age, adults of every age should consider putting their wishes on paper. The Terri Schiavo case brought this issue to the fore in 2005 causing a surge in demand for living wills. Yet, it doesn’t have to be difficult.
Five Wishes, from Aging With Dignity, has been described as, “the Living Will with a Heart and Soul”. More importantly, Five Wishes achieves simplicity and understandability in a document that is accepted as a legal document in forty states. It’s also unique in that it combines a durable power of attorney for healthcare with a living will. In situations where they are separate documents, the person who has been designated in the power of attorney must still familiarize themself with the wishes of the individual for which they’re taking responsibility. That means that there must still be a living will, or some other clear statement of wishes.
The appeal of the Five Wishes approach is that it puts it into plain English that anyone can understand and provides a great starting point for anyone wanting to make their wishes known. The five wishes are:
- The Person I want to Make Care Decisions for Me When I Can’t
- The Kind of Medical Treatment I want Or Don’t Want
- How Comfortable I Want to Be
- How I Want People to Treat Me
- What I want My Loved Ones to Know
You can find more on Five Wishes at the Aging With Dignity site: www.agingwithdignity.org
And, just in case you’re thinking we’re attorneys, we’re not. If you’re unsure about a legal issue, consult someone who’s licensed to practice in your area. Thanks.
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