[ 8. Issues Related to Seniors ]

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES: Making Your Wishes Known And Honored

• Health Care Proxy
The New York Health Care Proxy Law allows you to appoint someone you trust — for example, a family member or close friend – to make health care decisions for you if you lose the ability to make decisions yourself. By appointing a health care agent, you can make sure that health care providers follow your wishes.

NYS Department of Health: Who Will Speak for You?

Form: Health Care Proxy: Appointing Your Health Care Agent in New York State (pdf)

• Living Will
A Living Will allows you to leave written instructions that explain your health care wishes, especially about end-of-life care. You cannot use a Living Will to name a health care agent; you must use a Health Care Proxy.

NYS Department of Health: Advance Care Planning

HELPGUIDE.ORG: Advance Health Care Directives and Living Wills

• Will
A Will is a legal declaration of how a person wishes their possessions to be disposed of after death. A Will should be drafted by an attorney. No person should draft their own Will no matter how small their assets.

NYS office of the Attorney General : Making your wishes known and honored

NYS Bar Association: Will Drafting Forms (Downloadable)

For more information, please visit New York Advance Directive, Planning for Important Healthcare Decisions.

• Power of Attorney
Power of attorney is granted to an “attorney-in-fact” or “agent” to give that individual the legal authority to make decisions for an incapacitated “principal.” The laws for creating a power of attorney vary from state to state, but there are certain general guidelines to follow. Before you or a loved one signs any documents, however, be sure to consult with an attorney concerning all applicable laws and regulations.

National Caregivers Library: What Is Power of Attorney

NYS Bar Association: Power of Attorney (Downloadable)

• Planning Your Funeral While You Are Alive
For more information, please visit New York State Department of Health, Before Preparing Your Funeral, Know Your Rights.

• Burial and Funeral Guide
For more information, A Guide to Burial Assistance and Funeral Planning for New Yorkers in Need is available.

Useful Links:
The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc (JAA), Committee on Aging Issues
List of Senior Services in NYC
Department for the Aging
Official Medicare Website
Medicare Rights Center