Every Parkinson's family should have a durable financial power of attorney and a durable power of attorney for health care. Together with a living will, a signed HIPAA release, and a will or living trust, they cover money, medical decisions, and property. A power of attorney is a legal paper that names a trusted agent to act for another person. Durable means the authority continues during incapacity.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- Who handles money and bills during incapacity?
- Who makes medical decisions in an emergency?
- How are treatment wishes and records shared?
- What covers property and dependents?
- When should families sign and update papers?
Who handles money and bills during incapacity?
A durable financial power of attorney names a trusted agent to handle banking, bills, tax, and legal matters during incapacity. The Parkinson's Foundation calls it one of the most important PD documents, according to its estate-planning tips.
The agent might pay household bills, manage bank accounts, file taxes, or work with a lawyer. Families often choose a spouse, adult child, or other trusted person.
Who makes medical decisions in an emergency?
A durable power of attorney for health care, also called a health proxy, names a person to make medical decisions if the person with Parkinson's cannot act. The Michael J.
Fox Foundation describes this role for serious illness or emergency decisions, in its estate-planning starter guide. This agent speaks with doctors and makes care choices consistent with the person's wishes. Pick someone who understands those values and can act under pressure.
How are treatment wishes and records shared?
A living will, also called an advance directive, gives written directions on future medical treatment. The Michael J. Fox Foundation says it can address life-sustaining care, end-of-life wishes, and organ and tissue donation preferences.
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Families also need a signed HIPAA release. The Michael J. Fox Foundation notes that it lets the health-care agent receive medical information and communicate with providers, including by electronic means when hospital access is restricted. Give health documents to the medical team for the chart so clinicians can find them quickly.
What covers property and dependents?
A will distributes property after death. The Parkinson's Foundation notes that it also names an executor and guardians for dependents.
A revocable living trust is a separate tool for managing assets. The Parkinson's Foundation explains that the person can remain initial trustee and name successor trustees to manage assets through incapacity. Families use wills, trusts, and powers of attorney together, not as substitutes.
When should families sign and update papers?
Powers of attorney must be signed while the person still has legal capacity, so plan early. Without them, relatives may face a slower, costly, public court guardianship proceeding.
Advance-directive titles, forms, and witnessing rules vary by state, with living will and durable power of attorney for health care as the two common forms, according to the Library of Congress Law Library in its beginner's guide to advance directives. The Parkinson's Foundation advises families to take these practical steps:.
- Give copies of health documents to the medical team
- Tell family where the papers are kept
- Review directives after the "5 Ds": death, divorce, diagnosis, decline, new decade
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