Hospice care is chosen to help ease the transition at the end of life. Hospice provides support to patients and to their families and, for many people, is a far better alternative to other approaches to treating ill health. If you are choosing hospice for yourself or your loved one, Parman & Easterday wants to help make any and all legal issues you are facing easier so you can focus on what is most important at this time of your life.
In Oklahoma City, OK as well as in surrounding areas, clients turn to us when they or their family members are entering into hospice care. We can help to make sure you only get the medical care you want, and that you have made provisions for the management of assets and the transfer of property after death. Give us a call today at (405) 843-6100 in Oklahoma City to get personalized advice and answers to common questions including:
- How can I make sure my wishes for hospice care are respected?
- What are some legal issues to address before seeking hospice care?
- How can an Oklahoma City, OK hospice lawyer help me?
How Can You Make Sure You Get Hospice Care?
Hospice care is aimed at making you comfortable and easing a transition at the end of your life. It is an alternative to getting ongoing care aimed at treating a health condition. It is important to make clear that hospice is your choice when you wish to stop trying to get treatment for a terminal illness or other serious health issue. It is especially important to make your wishes known if you are concerned that any of your family members may not agree with your decision and may try to push for other medical interventions when you are no longer in a position to speak up for yourself.
There are legal tools that you can use to make your wishes known regarding the kinds of medical care you will receive and will choose to decline. You can use advanced directives, including the creation of a living will and/or a Do Not Resuscitate order. You should work with an attorney to create advanced directives to ensure they are enforceable and that you have made your wishes known about the types of extraordinary medical care and interventions that could potentially be used to prolong your life.
You should also consider appointing a healthcare proxy who is going to be your voice if you cannot communicate your own wishes. You can name someone you trust who will make medical choices for you that aren’t addressed in your living will, and you can give that person the authority to act on your behalf when you cannot speak up for yourself. Be sure to discuss your wishes for hospice care with your proxy and to choose someone you can trust to respect your plans.
What are Legal Issues to Address when Entering Hospice?
When you are entering hospice care, the most important thing is to make sure you do not get any unwanted medical interventions. However, you may also wish to get your other affairs in order.
You should consider talking with an estate planning lawyer about creating a last will and testament or updating an existing will. You can discuss who will manage your assets and property during the period when you are transitioning and before the end of your life, and you can also make provisions to try to avoid estate taxes and protect your heirs if you are concerned about their ability to manage money.
An experienced attorney can help you to address these last minute legacy planning and estate planning issues so you will have the peace of mind of knowing everything is in order and your family will be provided for after you are gone.
How Can a Hospice Care Lawyer Help?
Parman & Easterday has helped many clients going into hospice, as well as many families of patients who have chosen hospice care in and around Oklahoma City, OK. We will do everything we can to make sure all of your legal affairs are in order so there are no worries when entering hospice.
You deserve to spend time with your loved ones enjoying your moments together with the peace of mind of knowing your legacy is protected. We will help make that happen. Give us a call today at (405) 843-6100 in Oklahoma City. You can also contact us online to find out more about the ways in which we can help when patients enter into hospice care.
