In the world of private investigators, sudden accidents and illnesses that cause death and long-term disability are life events that you may not see coming. A fellow colleague had begun experiencing symptoms that interfered with his work. The symptoms decreased his mobility, requiring a walker, then a wheelchair, with increasing difficulty in speaking and deteriorating motor skills within a span of 4 months. Another investigator, involved in an accident, suffered for about 3 weeks before succumbing to his injuries. Both colleagues faced significant health and medical challenges in which their family needed to make tough decisions on advice of doctors.
When life takes an unexpected turn, will your affairs be in order?
Back in November, my intuition led me to plan for the unexpected event, accident or illness. I created legal documents with the assistance of an attorney. I planned my healthcare power of attorney, a will, and pre-planned my funeral and final arrangements. These are not decisions that can be made quickly or taken lightly. There are many options to consider, and having a lawyer assist you in creating the legal paperwork will help to ensure your rights are protected and your best interests chosen. Choosing a person to be appointed as power of attorney takes time and consideration. I used the tenets in an article written earlier, “Testing for Wisdom” as the benchmark for choosing an appointee. My healthcare power of attorney (HCPOA) only comes into effect when a doctor puts in writing that I am incapable of making those decisions yourself – such as in the event I’m unconscious or if treatment protocols require me to be placed in a medically induced coma. Then the appointed HCPOA can begin their duties.
It’s in learning from the mistakes of others that help us to answer questions about ourselves:
- Did he have a HCPOA with advanced directives?
- Does he want to spend the rest of his days on life support?
- Does he want to be fed from a tube and be bedridden?
- What were his wishes?
- Did he want to be cremated and be placed in an urn?
- How did he want his estate distributed?
- Did he have final thoughts and well wishes for his adult children? This is something that can be done now. Write those thoughts in a card.
- Under what circumstances is it acceptable for him to be placed in a medically induced coma?
- Does he have specific requests such as Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) and Do Not Intubate (DNI) implemented only in the case of life-threatening injuries associated with substantial morbidity and mortality?
- Does he know that he is being taken off life support? Why is he unresponsive?
It’s learning from the lives of others that help us determine what is an acceptable way of living – for us. It leads us to:
- What would I want for myself?
- What am I willing to live without or be tolerable of?
- What would I consider to be an acceptable quality of life after an accident?
- If I have life threatening allergies, do I want doctors to do everything they can to save me?
- How would I protect myself, my rights and best interests?
- How would I protect myself from others intentional abuse of power – such as the HCPOA being influenced by one person or persuaded by a group of people?
- Who or whom isn’t involved in the treatment plan?
- If mental health or illness is at play, would I disallow drugs that have side effects of hallucinations or delusions? Would I allow electroshock treatments?
- Do I want to voluntarily choose when to go into and be released from a facility?
- There are many options to research and consider for administration of medication. It is different for each person considering their medical, health and mental wellness.
- Donating organs requires advanced planning as you may not be accepted by your first choice. There is typically an application and a pre-approval process of which you need to be accepted into first.
- Rehabilitation and recovery have options such as, being at home, a nursing home, rehab or assisted living until well and do not need assistance.
- There are options to consider as to why I would refuse treatment, such as - if a procedure is too risky or puts me in danger, if there is little to no chance it will get me back to the quality of life I could accept.
- Determine if prolonging life, only prolongs the dying process. Am I OK with that or would I choose differently?
- An autopsy can be authorized in the event a death is called into question (murder) or if specifically stated, “my death is ruled a suicide or overdose.”
You are an asset. Remember, you are an investment. Protect yourself. Protect your rights.
Disclaimer: All content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Always consult a professional in the area for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any professional, legal, medical, health or financial decisions.
PC: Murat Ozelik
