Important Documents for Caregivers
Caregivers need to have access to important documents for a variety of reasons. Some documents are needed to deal with medical situations, others are needed to help a loved one manage her finances, and others will be needed after a loved one passes away. As information changes over time, a caregiver should make sure the documents he has are current.
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Durable Power of Attorney
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A power of attorney is a legal document that is used to name an agent, also called an attorney-in-fact, to handle a person's financial affairs. The document needs to be created and signed when the individual who is naming the agent is competent. A durable power of attorney will remain in effect if and when the person becomes incompetent. The agent requires a notarized copy of the power of attorney in order to exercise the power.
Living WIll
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A living will, also called an advance directive, details the specific medical procedures that an individual does and does not want performed in specific circumstances. The living will comes into play when a person is unable to speak for herself and can cover procedures such as artificial respiration, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intravenous fluids, antibiotics and artificial feeding. A caregiver should ask his loved one if she has a living will and make sure he understands the wishes she has expressed in the document.
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Health Care Proxy
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A health care proxy is similar to a power of attorney, but it deals specifically with medical decision-making authority. Even if a person has a living will, not all situations can be anticipated. The health care proxy names an individual to make decisions on a person's behalf in the case she is unable to make decisions for herself. The health care proxy only becomes effective when a person becomes incompetent. A caregiver should know who the health care proxy for his loved one is and have a copy of the document on hand.
Other Documents
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A caregiver should also have access to records he will need to help his loved one manage her day-to-day affairs and deal with special situations as they come up. Depending on the role the caregiver plays in his loved one's care, the documents he'll need will vary. Documents a caregiver might need access to include bank statements, birth certificate, investment records, cemetery plot deed, credit card statements, deed to home, life insurance policies, last will and testament, loan documents, marriage certificate(s), military discharge documents, safe deposit box information and prior years' tax returns.
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