We know from personal experience how important it is to have your loved one’s paperwork in order. When your family member has a medical emergency, it can be stressful and frightening.
Having their medical and legal paperwork in order and easy to access can turn a confusing situation into a remarkably straightforward one.
It helps to know not just what senior care documents are needed in North Carolina, but also how to store them. And if you’re not sure how to broach the subject, a good home care agency can help.
What Senior Care Documents Should I Have Prepared in North Carolina?
As your loved one gets older, it becomes more and more important to be prepared for emergencies. Having their documents in order and easily accessible will ensure that their wishes are respected even when they can’t advocate for themselves.
Here are some of the most important documents to have ready:
Power of Attorney
Power of attorney (POA) is a legal document giving a specific person the right to make decisions on another’s behalf. In North Carolina, there are two types of POA forms:
- Power of attorney, which relates to financial decisions.
- Health care power of attorney, which relates to medical decisions.
POA forms are only legally binding if they’re set up properly—and that can be tricky. One senior we know thought he had set up his POA, only for his best friend to learn otherwise at the hospital. The result was a scramble to find a living blood relative, leaving a family member unfamiliar with the situation responsible for critical decisions.
It’s best to have a lawyer ensure POA forms are set up and filed properly. We know a number of attorneys specializing in elder law—please don’t hesitate to contact us for a referral.
Insurance Policies
Make sure all insurance paperwork is up-to-date. Some of the most important types of insurance to document include:
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term care insurance
It’s not enough just to have the documentation—you’ll also need to know how the policy works to get the most out of it.
NC MOST Form
North Carolina has a special type of at-home Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form called the Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) Form. It allows seniors to specify their wishes in the event of a medical emergency outside a hospital. Without it, first responders in the state can’t legally stop resuscitation efforts until a doctor agrees.
A MOST form must be signed by a doctor in order to be binding, so make sure to discuss it with their primary care physician.
Laws about resuscitation vary between states, and the MOST form doesn’t apply outside North Carolina. When planning a trip out of state, make sure to look into the laws there.
Will
To ensure your loved one’s wishes are followed, their will needs to be worded, structured and prepared for filing properly. Contact us if you need a recommendation for a good estate attorney to set up a will.
How to Store Documents Related to Senior Care
Just as important as getting documents set up properly is making sure they’re accessible. Don’t just assume—make sure you can personally lay eyes on them. They should be so simple to find that you can bring them out quickly even in an emergency.
The best way to make sure you can find these documents is to have multiple copies of each. At minimum, you’ll need:
- One set of documents in a well-organized, portable file folder (so you can take them all out at once)
- One set of documents in a fireproof safe
In addition, you should store extra copies of certain forms in special ways.
How to Store the NC MOST Form
- Post the pink copy of the NC MOST form on the fridge. Paramedics are trained to look for it there, and doing this is the single best way to ensure they see it.
- Leave a copy with their primary care doctor. Paramedics will be able to call to check if needed.
- File a copy with the state registry, which makes sure that any hospital in North Carolina will respect their wishes.
How to Store Power of Attorney Forms
Make sure their POA keeps a copy of the designated form. In addition, their doctor should have a copy of their medical POA form, and their banker, lawyer or financial advisor should have a copy of the financial one.
How to Store a Will
Make sure to keep copies of your loved one’s will in a number of places:
- With their attorney
- In a secure location like a safe deposit box
- With their POA and healthcare POA
How to Have the Conversation
Aging is an uncomfortable topic, but talking about it frankly and frequently can make it more manageable. If you’re not sure how to broach the subject, FirstLight Home Care of Greater Charlotte can help. Our staff members know how to facilitate difficult conversations about care, guiding them to ensure your loved one’s needs will be met. That makes starting senior care a great time to discuss both their documents and their wishes.
If you need help, please contact us. We can help guide your family through difficult conversations, refer you to lawyers who specialize in elder and estate law and help you ensure you have the forms you’ll need.
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