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As a family caregiver for an adult, you may be the designated person to manage health care and financial matters with them or on their behalf, if they are unable. Planning similarly for yourself may help reduce some of the personal, compounding stress that family caregivers experience. Additionally, advanced planning can reduce stress and provide relief for others trying to advocate for you during a significant change in your health.
In Washington, there are two types of documents, directives and durable power of attorney forms, to express your values and preferences for medical treatment, give someone else the ability to help you make decisions or do so on your behalf, and/or assist with or manage your finances. A third type, for people with serious illness or very poor health, provides guidance to emergency responders and healthcare staff related to use of life-saving measures in an emergency. The law states these documents and forms are to be followed to the fullest extent possible.
Below is a review of each type of form. If the person you care for hasn’t already completed their own form(s), you may share the information with them to start a discussion and/or help complete the forms. Or, review previously completed forms together to confirm their choices and update if needed.
A health care directive (AKA “Living Will”) is a proactive document for you to share what is important to you when receiving treatments if you’re unable to communicate them at the time of illness or injury. More information can be found at: Washingtonlawhelp.org Health Care Directive
A mental health advance directive is a proactive document to state what you want to happen if your judgement is impaired or you’re unable to communicate your preferences for mental health help and treatment. You can appoint a person to be your mental health agent to carry out your wishes. If your agent is different than the agent in your durable power of attorney for health care, it could complicate matters. More information can be found at: Washingtonlawhelp.org Mental Health Advance Directive
A durable power of attorney document lets you choose a trusted friend or relative (an “agent”) to help you with your finances and/or health care decisions. After completing the form, you continue to have the right to make your own decisions and manage finances, if you choose to and are able. It’s important to first talk with the person you’d like to be your agent for each role, to make sure they are comfortable carrying out your preferences and/or managing your finances.
You may choose the same person or different people for each role (health care and finances) and alternate agents in the event your agent is unable or unwilling to act. Once complete, your agent and health care providers and banks should get a copy. You may revoke (cancel) the power of attorney through written notice to the agent and provide the revocation notice to providers and banks. More information can be found at: Washingtonlawhelp.org Health Care and Finances POA
A POLST (portable orders for life-sustaining treatment) form is designed for people of any age with a serious illness or those in very poor health. It is used to communicate what type of care the person wants or doesn’t want in the case of an emergency. You will need to complete this form with a medical provider. Copies of the completed form should be posted at your home and given to medical providers and hospitals. You may ask your provider for the form or request a form be mailed to you by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: WSMA, Attn: POLST, 2001 6th Ave., Suite 2700, Seattle, WA 98121. More information can be found at the Washington State Medical Association POLST website.
Additional Resources
Dementia:
Wills: Do it Yourself Forms
Guardianship: Adult Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protractive Arrangements
Information & Forms about many legal topics: Washingtonlawhelp.org
Legal information for people age 60+ or low income: Northwest Justice Project
General advance care planning information: Honoring Choices Pacific Northwest
Find a legal provider: WA BAR Legal Directory Search
Kitsap Public Health District website for locations and scheduling.
Phone and email support through Kitsap Public Health District for people needing help with scheduling a vaccine appointment or are homebound and need mobile vaccination services:
The Washington State Department of Health also maintains:
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Vaccine search tool for locations by zip code.
- Information Hotline at 1-800-525-0127 and press #. Language assistance is available.
Also, you may ask your insurance company if your plan has a benefit (and your cost) for at-home tests and/or physical testing locations within their network.
From Medicare.gov coronavirus information page: Medicare covers the vaccine at no cost to you. You can bet it is a scam if anyone asks you for your Medicare Number to get access to the vaccine. If someone calls asking for your Medicare Number, hang up.
Here’s what to know:
- Don’t share your personal or financial information if someone calls, texts, or emails you promising access to the vaccine for a fee.
- You can’t pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine.
- You can’t pay to get access to a vaccine.
Scammers may use the COVID-19 public health emergency to take advantage of people while they’re distracted. Guard your Medicare and Social Security cards/numbers and check your Medicare Summary Notices for errors.
Report suspected Medicare fraud or stolen card/number by calling Medicare at
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Resources
Local Caregiver Support
Choosing Care in an Adult Family Home or Assisted Living Facility
Long Term Care Resource Book-English
Long Term Care Resource Book- Other Languages
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