There’s No One to Be My Advocate or Representative
Since COVID-19 has come on strong, attorneys, financial planners, and accountants have said their older, single clients or couples without children need a healthcare agent and do not have anyone to fill this role. They want to have a plan. These professional advisors wanted to know if we offer this service. The answer is yes but we can help in other ways as well, including identifying people outside of our region.
In the past few months attorneys have been deluged by clients who want to update their documents or those who have put off making a plan but now get it done. The documents require the naming of a durable power of attorney, a trustee for those who have a trust, a healthcare agent or surrogate (that includes a HIPPA) and designation of a pre-need guardian. We at The Seniors’ Answer will act as one’s healthcare agent or surrogate and can assist people with identifying someone to fill the other roles.
More than one million adults 65 to 74 do not have children and many of whom are or will be living alone. Research says that seniors without children have higher rates of institutionalization, but that is not the only issue. Whether living at home or elsewhere seniors need to have someone that has the knowledge, interest and ability to represent them and be their advocate.
Since the durable power of attorney has the power to make financial decisions for the person it is critically important to choose wisely as sometimes people step in with the wrong intentions to the detriment of the senior. Those living alone generally rely on other family members (nieces, nephews), friends or neighbors to perform these functions. But people’s lives change every day. People move, become ill, lose touch or are no longer interested. Therefore, it is important to maintain an up to date list of one’s designees, and to periodically confirm with them that they are willing to continue to represent the senior in that role. We at The Seniors’ Answer can assist people with identifying someone to fill this role.
People will need a “go-to” person to assist when life management tasks get too difficult and/or emergencies arise. This person may be a skilled person they know or a trusted advisor who has been recommended. This person will not only perform tasks but will advocate for the senior in a variety of living situations and needs. They will help with routine daily tasks such as managing bill payments, organizing and filing of financial records, processing of credit, insurance, medical and other important documents, and representing them for billing, service or other issues with utilities, government and other service providers. They will also help with one time or special project assignments such as applying for a disabled parking permit, digitizing records, arranging for transportation, food delivery, pet care and more. They can prepare a list of professionals for specialized roles such as an aging in place specialist, physical therapist, handyman, landscaper, et al. When the need arises, they can quickly arrange for a temporary or permanent replacement of an on-going professional who has moved, retired or become ill such as a physician, accountant, attorney, financial advisor or others. We at The Seniors’ Answer can assist people with all of these tasks and more.
A “care manager” may be needed. A care manager will perform both tasks regarding care management and advocate for the client in living and medical environments. Some of the tasks a care manager performs are: assessing the care needed and creating and managing a care plan, overseeing home care, providing transportation to medical appointments, assisting in long range living plans. We at The Seniors’ Answer offer these services too.
As seniors age, they don’t need to be alone. But, as we learned in the past few months, they must act sooner rather than later since an unexpected illness or accident can occur at any time rendering them unable to make these choices and decisions. We at The Seniors’ Answer have been helping seniors and their families with these situations for several years and can be a resource for those who are alone so they can live an ordered and harmonious life. We will be a person’s healthcare agent (surrogate).
If you have questions or need information about your loved-one’s life management issues don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We love helping our clients get the information and assistance they need from personal issues to daily money management, home management and more. Call me at 305-646-1833 or email me at Corrine@theseniorsanswer.com