Permission, Information and Imagination: 3 Keys to Successful End of Life Planning
Written by guest author: Darra Wray
Preparing for the end of life can bring peace of mind to you and your family. Keep these three keys to developing a successful end of life plan in mind as you embark on this journey:
Permission
We are in the midst of a technological revolution where billions of dollars have been spent to harness the power of automation and digital information. There is no question that we are all reaping the benefits of faster information processing, improved information exchange, and expanded services, but this digital transformation has proven to be a double-edged sword for individuals and caregivers.
The expanded use of digital information has led to increased privacy and security concerns resulting in increased privacy protection and limited access to information. Individuals, caregivers, and heirs are now required to formally prove they have permission to access information and manage transactions. Healthcare and financial transactions are by far the most heavily regulated, and it is critical to make sure that your loved ones have all of the documents necessary to manage your end of life care and affairs. The permissions they may need include:
Health Information (HIPAA) Access forms - Make sure HIPAA information access authorizations are on file with each of your health care providers. These permission documents are not universal and are usually limited to an individual provider or provider group.
Health Care Power of Attorney - Make sure you have access to your health care power of attorney documents at all times. Even with all of the advances we have seen in technology, there is no single electronic repository for these documents, and you may find it difficult to access the copies that have been electronically filed by your providers in an emergency.
Financial Power of Attorney – Financial power of attorney documents that have been legally prepared and filed (when required) are intended to be universal. However, many financial and legal institutions require a secondary verification process for these universal documents that can take weeks / months to complete. Many entities have specific Power of Attorney forms and process that you can complete with them directly that will avoid the secondary verification process.
Information
Having the right information in the right place and at the right time will save time, money, and frustration. Invest time now to organize all of the personal, household, health, financial, legal and legacy information and documents that your loved ones will need at the end of your life.
Find a family information management solution that works for you and make the commitment to update your important information at least once a year. Tools like the My Data Diary+ family information management software solution help you organize and securely digitize all of your information so that you can access it whenever and wherever you need it. And, make sure to share this important information with your care companions – your trusted family, friends and professional advisors who will step in to manage your affairs in the event you are not able to manage them for yourself.
Imagination
The digital revolution has led to the availability of new solutions and services that help us solve all kinds of problems in new ways. Consulting services like ELDR and software solutions like My Data Diary+ allow you to harness the power of the digital revolution to help you develop a comprehensive end of life plan that ensures your loved ones have everything they need to honor your wishes at the end of your life.
If you are not sure how to get started creating your plan, professionals at ELDR are available to help you. Through a series of end of life planning conversations they will ensure you make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary expenses, and allow your family members to grieve your loss without added stress and regret.
