You may wish to consider some of the following options, It is advisable to speak with your Solicitor for advice on these matters.
Enduring power of attorney
What is an enduring power of attorney
An enduring power of attorney (EPA) is a legal device that can be set up by a person (the donor) to allow another person (an attorney), to look after their financial or personal affairs, in the event that they no longer have the capacity to do so themselves.
Having an EPA is a good way of planning for the possibility that you may not be able to make certain decisions for yourself at some stage. A person can lose their decision-making abilities at any age. An enduring power of attorney is just one of the legal arrangements you can make in the event you become incapacitated or unable to deal with your affairs.
EPAs do not cover decisions about medical treatment. You can make an Advance healthcare directive(AHD) if you want to make decisions about the medical treatment you get in the event that you lose your capacity.
Use the following link Enduring power of attorney to find further information on Enduring power of attorney.
Making a Will
A will is a written document that sets out what you would like to happen to your possessions after you die. A will must be signed and witnessed.
When you die, your possessions are called your ‘estate’. A ‘testator’ is a person who writes a will. If you die without leaving a will, you die ‘intestate’.
Use the following link Making a will to access further information about how to make a valid will, the things you should consider when writing your will, and what will happen if you die without leaving a will.
Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD).
You can make a written statement about the type of medical or surgical treatment you want or do not want, if in the future, you are unable to make these decisions. This is called an Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD).
An AHD is only used if you lose capacity and you can no longer communicate your wishes yourself. It lets your family, carers and healthcare professionals know your wishes about your medical and surgical treatment if you are unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself.
For example, you may not want to be resuscitated if your heart stops beating, or you may not want to be kept alive with the use of a ventilator. It is sometimes known as a living will, advance statement, advance decision or advance refusal.
An Advance Healthcare Directive tells healthcare professionals how to care for you according to your specific wishes, when you can’t accurately tell them yourself. Advance Healthcare Directives also give clarity to your family about the care you wish for.
You do not have to make an Advance Healthcare Directive if you don’t want to.
Use the following link to access further information on Advance Healthcare Directives
Agency agreements, trusts, and ordinary powers of attorney
There may be many reasons why you are unable to deal with your affairs. For example, you may be physically unable to collect your pension or you may acquire an illness or disability that limits your ability to make decisions. If you become incapable of dealing with your affairs, there are various legal arrangements you can make to have someone else do these things on your behalf.
The choice of legal arrangements open to you depends on your precise circumstances. Some of the arrangements are very simple to make and have limited effect, for example, appointing an agent to collect your social welfare payment. Others are much more complex and require the help of legal and medical professionals, for example, executing an enduring power of attorney. It is advisable to take legal advice before entering into the more complex arrangements.
Use the following link Agency agreements, trusts, and ordinary powers of attorney to find further information.
Palliative care
What is palliative care
Palliative care can help improve your quality of life and manage your symptoms if you have a condition, illness or disease that is progressive and cannot be cured. This is sometimes called a life-limiting illness.
Palliative care provides a broad service often over a long period of time. You can get palliative care at any age and at any stage of your illness. It aims to improve your ability to continue your daily activities and hobbies.
End-of-life care is an important part of palliative care but usually starts when a patient is in the last year of life.
Palliative care is for your well-being and that of your family and your carers and can include:
Use the following link to access further information on Palliative care
Information Source : citizensinformation.ie