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A Long LIfe is a Gift! Be Grateful for Every Day!
What is all this talk about getting papers in order? Covid 19? Or finally an awareness that we are all going to die?
Did you think that you would or should live at least to a specific age? The number of people I have questioned who say “well of course I sure as heck better make it until at least 80” or something to that effect. Yet in the days of old, most people didn’t live to be old. There were few notable books or plays about “old old age”.
At the same time we frequently refuse to discuss death since we will be living until age ____ (you fill in the blank). That refusal to discuss death until you believe you are “near death” is a bad decision for a number of reasons.
The coronavirus of today has most people fearing their life and staying home to avoid getting sick. It also has put the word “death” on the forefront. Do you still believe strongly that you will be around until some magic age? Do you really know your expiration date?
The decision you make today and put into writing – an advance directive, durable power of attorney, living trust and/or will, a power of attorney and (maybe) a POLST (provider orders for life sustaining treatment) or in some other states MOST (medical orders for scope of treatment) or MOLST (medical orders life sustaining treatment; six states do not yet recognize any such orders.
We all need an advance directive. It is called different things in different states but they all are a legal document used to provide guidance about what types of treatments you may want to receive in case of a future, unknown medical emergency. In it you name who can speak for you should you not be able to speak for yourself.
On the other hand a POLST form (or whatever it is called where you reside) is a medical order for the specific medical treatment you want during an emergency. They are appropriate for persons with a serious illness or advanced condition near the end of life.
Isn’t it the mature thing to do to discuss death as a part of life? And get your papers in order! You can redo them as often as makes sense – maybe use the birthdays ending in 0 as the time to dust them off and review and revise.
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We have countless jokes online and in person about nonstop phone calls at all hours begging you to extend your car warranty - even when you don't own a car! But we don't talk about death. AND we all have death in common!
Upon death, even if your legal paperwork is completed will there be problems? Tell others about your wishes. Make changes as often as you want but be sure your loved ones know. Problems arise when loved ones disagree. Money can do that to wills.
You don't have to discuss death daily. Yet you need to face that we all will die. Give yourself a rest sometimes but remember that each day is precious.