ABA’s Free Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill

Knowing how to get personal financial and legal affairs in order is a consideration every senior citizens should consider – before the onset of a serious illness or injury, which can affect much more than a person’s health. This information is often vitally important not only to the affected individual, but to his or her loved ones as well.

The "Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill" - a project by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging commissioned by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)- was designed for both the seriously ill individual and those caring for someone who is seriously ill.

The guide explains “Seven Key Steps”

Step 1. – Plan How to Pay for the Health Care You Need

Step 2. – Make a Plan to Manage Your Health and Personal Decisions

Step 3. – Make a Plan to Manage Your Money and Property

Step 4. – Plan for the Care of Dependents

Step 5. – Know Your Rights As a Patient

Step 6. – Know Your Rights As an Employee

Step 7. – Get Your Legal Documents in Order

The recently released guide addresses societal issues that have gained prominent media attention in recent years, such as paying for health care, managing health and personal decisions, and patient rights.

In addition, the Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill sheds light on recent legislative and regulatory changes, such as the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which provides a 35 percent subsidy of the COBRA premium for up to nine months.

"Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill" is available in a pdf format online at the Caring Connections Web site. 

-From: “Free Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill Written by American Bar’s Commission on Law and Aging; Guide for caretakers and those who are ill was commissioned by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization” at http://www.healthcarechaplaincy.org/userimages/Legal_Guide_for_the_Terminally_Ill.pdf. Cited in/Linked from ElderLaw News from ElderLawAnswers, January 13, 2010.

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