What documents do you need when caring for an aging parent?

Many people describe caring for an aging parent as a blessing, but also a challenge. There are two documents that can make providing this care much easier: a General Durable Power of Attorney and a Healthcare Power of Attorney with Healthcare Directives.

It is important to talk with your aging parents about their wishes and the legal documents they already have in place.

• The General Durable Power of Attorney allows you to pay bills, sell property, and contact insurance agencies and retirement plans on behalf of your parents. Without this Power of Attorney, your parent must do these things on their own as many companies will not speak with a child unless they hold a Power of Attorney for their parent.

• The Healthcare Power of Attorney with Healthcare Directives allows you to make medical decisions and receive medical information about your parents so you can ensure they receive the best care possible and that your parents’ wishes for end of life care are followed.

This blog does not constitute legal advice nor does it establish an attorney client relationship. This is for general information purposes as in most legal situations the facts and terms of an agreement between the parties can affect the results.