CONVERSATIONS WITH CAREGIVERS: Planning helps families keep peace

Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2014

The roomful of attendees at the recent Caregivers Seminar indicated a great interest in Elder Law. Glenn Null, attorney from La Grande who specializes in this subject, presented information that was both thought-provoking and instructional.

The distress of anticipating an elderly parents death rarely leads family members into a frame of mind where calm decisions can be made about end-of-life care. Add to this stress the actual loss of that departed one, whereupon assets are to be distributed, and clouded and more difficult dynamics increase between relatives who were once amiable.

Because each family members relationship with the patient is unique, they bring different opinions of the loved ones wishes to the discussion. These can lead to volatile disagreements that would break the parents heart to observe.

However, according to Glenn, these family conflicts can be avoided by prior planning.

The idea of a preparing any legal document can appear so daunting one can be paralyzed into inaction. But this task can be as simple as having a POLST (Physicians Order for Life Sustaining Treatment), with a few boxes checked off and signed by the patient, taped to his refrigerator door. Should there be an emergency, the POLST will inform arriving EMTs and subsequent medical staff of the patients wishes regarding his care.

Glenns topics progressed from Healthcare Directives to Wills and Living Trusts, the latter requiring an attorneys involvement. Yet the overall theme of the meeting was that with timely planning and communication, the patient and family members can approach this natural part of life with the dignity, grace and love that is due all.

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