by Susan M. Graham, Certified Elder Law Attorney, Senior Edge Legal, Boise, Idaho
It’s a sad truth that caregiver spouses often die before the person they’re caring for. This can be a scary and confusing time for everyone involved. Here’s what you need to do if this happens:
- Make sure the surviving spouse has the support and help they need. The caregiver spouse did a lot, so it’s important to have people ready to step in and help out.
- If there’s no doctor or nurse there when the caregiver spouse dies, call the County Coroner. They’ll figure out what caused the death, help move the body to a funeral home, and work with the family to get a death certificate.
To prevent chaos and confusion if a caregiver spouse dies, here are some steps you can take:
- Set up a daily check-in between the caregiver and another person. This can be a phone call, text, or email. If the check-in doesn’t happen, the other person knows to find out why.
- Have a backup plan for if the caregiver spouse dies, gets sick, or goes on vacation. Make sure the backup person knows what to do and has the legal power to help the surviving spouse.
- The caregiver spouse and the spouse being cared for (if they’re able to) should sign two important legal documents:
- A financial power of attorney, which lets someone else handle money matters like writing checks and paying bills.
- A health power of attorney, which says who can make health decisions if the caregiver spouse or the spouse being cared for can’t communicate.
You can find free forms for these documents on the Senior Edge Legal website under the “Resources” button. Or, you can talk to a Certified Elder Law Attorney (listed on NELF.org) to get specific advice for your situation.
By taking these steps now, you can have peace of mind knowing you’ve created a safety net for your loved ones.
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NEW ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOP!! Join Susan Graham for an informative and interactive session on estate planning. June 19, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. Location: Hampton Inn & Suites Boise Spectrum, 7499 W. Overland Road, Boise. To reserve your spot, call 208-344-0375, or Contact Us on our website. (Please indicate whether you want the 10:00 or the 2:00 session.)
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Do you have a written estate plan that protects your future and your loved ones? Call to schedule a meeting with Susan Graham to give you peace of mind that your affairs are in order (phone 208-344-0375 or Contact Us on our website).
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