Have You Planned for Your Future Care?
This important question was the subject of this week's Lunch & Learn event at United Way's offices. Ivan Tolbert from Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging, explained to the 40 people in attendance exactly why each of us need to complete an advance medical directive no matter how young we were.
"If you do not make a decision about the medical care you want to have, and you are unable to speak or make your wishes known, the hospital could make your decision for you," Mr. Tolbert said.
Without an advance medical directive that names an agent that has the legal power to make medical decisions for you, your family and friends will be left to make guesses about what to do if you're in a coma, for example.
Mr. Tolbert cited several famous cases, including Terri Schaivo in Florida, where families disagreed about extended life support for their stricken loved ones. Ultimately, the Supreme Court had to step in and make a decision after these people had spent multiple years on life support systems.
To learn more about advance medical directives, you can:
- Read the presentation made by Mr. Tolbert.
- Email Mr. Tolbert at itolbert@youraaa.org.
- Visit this Virginia State Bar website for free forms and answers to frequently asked questions.
