You'll need a health directive (living will), a Power of Attorney for financial affairs, a will and perhaps other documents, depending on where you live. An estate attorney can help you with these. They are very important to have in place.
I had a Durable Power of Attorney for Legal and financial matters. For health care and end of life issues, I had a Medical Power of Attorney and a Health Care Surrogate. A trust or Will for asset distribution. Also you may consider a DRN, if necessary.
A living will - be as specific as you can. I recently had a client with a living will who was hospitalized. The hospital refused to take him off a ventillator because the living will was too general - despite the fact that those were his wishes. You can include your Dad's feelings about such things as CPR, IV Therapy, feeding tubes, respirators, and dialysis. Yours can be more tailored, based on what you might expect, given his condition.
You may also want a durable power of attorney for health care, which names a person (a proxy) to make medical decisions for your father should he become unable to do so.
Have Dad keep a card in his wallet stating that he has advance directives, and where to find them.
Give these advance directives to your Dad's physician to be kept as part of his medical records. Also, be sure to bring them to the hospital should he be admitted for any reason.
Of course, power of attorney over financial matters is another necessary document.
I think the most important paper I have is the Power of Attorney. It's good to have copies of his birth certificate, SS#, and other personal information, as you'll need it for some situations. I made copies of every medical procedure/condition that he's had and I make sure that every medical doctor that he sees has a copy, and keep one just in case of an emergency hospital visit. It saves a lot of repeating and lessens the possibility of mistakes! I also make sure he has a card in his wallet with a copy of his medicines and MY contact information. If your dad can still answer simple questions, most places will work with you by phone, as long as he says it's "OK" to talk with you. Check with the VA for veteran's benefits. They have downloadable forms online. Good luck!
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Take care,
Carol
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You may also want a durable power of attorney for health care, which names a person (a proxy) to make medical decisions for your father should he become unable to do so.
Have Dad keep a card in his wallet stating that he has advance directives, and where to find them.
Give these advance directives to your Dad's physician to be kept as part of his medical records. Also, be sure to bring them to the hospital should he be admitted for any reason.
Of course, power of attorney over financial matters is another necessary document.
Good luck