• 30
  • November
    2011

Most baby boomers do not have any end-of-life legal documents to help guide medical decisions, and the predominant reason is because many of these individuals still feel young and healthy and are reluctant to dwell on and plan for their death.

Florida living trust attorneys note that 64 percent of baby boomers do not presently have a living will or a health care proxy. The lack of these documents can complicate procedures and decisions in the event that the individual is hospitalized and/or unable to make decisions as to how they are treated.

Baby boomers are the generation of individuals born between 1946 and 1964.

Living wills are used by doctors to direct medical care in the event the patient is unable to communicate with medical staff. This legal paper can specify to what degree, if any, doctors should attempt to keep them alive.

A health care proxy, sometimes called a health care power of attorney, works in a similar manner. This legal paper specifies an individual that has been chosen to make medical care decisions on behalf of a patient.

Living wills and health care proxies are not only recommended for older individuals. They can be useful to people of any age. Unforeseen accidents can put your life in danger and render you unable to make decisions on your own behalf. Establishing a living will or health care proxy can help ensure that your preferences will be adhered to by medical care professionals

Source: Seattle Times "Many boomers avoid living wills, say they're young" Nov. 21, 2011