"Many people on Maui don’t realize they are missing out on free services," said Norma Circle of the Legal Aid Society of Hawai`i recently. "Seniors can receive a free Durable Financial Power of Attorney and an Advance Health Care Directive," she added, "regardless of income."

A Durable Financial Power of Attorney is notarized document where seniors can select an "agent"–a trusted family member or friend– to oversee financial decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated, or unable to make those decisions on their own. This agent would have the authority to make decisions regarding the senior’s finances, including filing taxes or for bankruptcy, dealing with government agencies, and the utilization, disposal, or selling of assets.

An Advanced Health Care Directive is a separate document where seniors can give instructions about their future medical care. It tells their doctors what kind of medical treatment they want if they become unable to decide for themselves in the future. In the Advance Health Care Directive, seniors can also select an agent who will have the power to make health care decisions for them.

These services, provided free by the Legal Aid Society of Hawai`i on Maui, can have a tremendous positive impact on the lives of seniors and those near to them. For instance, seniors can designate people they know well to make important decisions, rather than putting their lives in the hands of strangers. Also, assignees’ designating a specific individual to handle such matters when the time comes may lessen the amount of strain and anxiety placed on those close to them.

Agents assigned to make either financial or medical decisions need not live in the same area, or even country–as long as they can be reached by phone, fax, or email–and they may be designated long in advance of a debilitating or incapacitating circumstance. Rather than "Crossing that bridge when they come to it," seniors on Maui would do well to prepare for the unexpected by obtaining the Durable Financial Power of Attorney and AHCD now!

If you or someone you know would like to more information about obtaining a free Durable Financial Power of Attorney and/or an Advanced Health Care Directive, call Norma Circle at the Legal Aid Society of Hawai`i’s Maui office at 244-3731. If you would like to know more about the Legal Aid Society of Hawai`i, you may call their Senior Legal Hotline at 1-888-536-0011.

Contact:     Natalie Asturi
Phone:       (808) 527-8004
E-mail:       naastur@lashaw.org