Friday, October 20, 2017

Last Day of Being Seventy Seven

   Yes, that's right folks. Today is the last timeI I'll ever ever 77 years old.

    What did I do on this or less day in my life? I made up my persona directive.

   Recently my daughter's mother in law went in for surgery and it didn't turn out well. Her husband is an only child and when his mother became incapacitated, they began looking, 
 for those important papers.

   That's when my daughter made the frantic request as to whether I had personal direction forms and if so where are they.

   Now my record on personal directive forms is rather pathetic.  About 15 years ago I'd heard of personal directives but didn't have the foggiest idea of their importance and of course like a typical male I did nothing about them.. About 10 years ago I got a little more serious about the issue. About 5 years ago I actually filled out forms but didn't get  them witnessed.

   So with my daughter's frantic plea , it was time to d something about it.aed out our province has a program in place to standardize personal directives.also learned ed that the all important form was only to appoint someone to be my agent if I became  . I was giving someone the legal status to make health and care decisions for me. I also learned the I would fill out another form with my doctor detailing my wishes for care when my quality of life deteriorates.

   The province also will set up an advisor to help you fill out the forms. The advisor sees thaat the forms are filled out correctly. She/he witnesses your signature and makes the necessary copies for you. That' s what we did today.

      So all in all, my last day of being 77was a rather important one.

50 comments:

  1. Well done, Red. Too many people (including my husband and I) put off things like that. Your family will appreciate it, I'm very sure.

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    1. I admit that I would be one of those who w lull put this off. My wife pushed the project

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  2. P. S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW!! May the year ahead be a good one. (It will be our daughter's birthday, too, but she isn't going to be 78, only 31 :))

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  3. It is important to do. I hope your birthday will be a great better day. Happy Birthday.

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    1. Thanks. I'll do my best to have. A great year.

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  4. Happy Birthday Red! It's good you have completed your form. I have yet to do so as I was too busy for these past years looking after my mom and making sure her personal directive was followed. It's amazing how the tide has changed so much that they don't believe there are still people who wish to be resuscitated. It was a hard job making sure this was understood. In the end it didn't become necessary but it was there to guide us and help us (the children). I'm sure your daughter will rest better knowing you have completed or will soon complete the forms.

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    1. One is forced to think of their end of life.

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  5. Good for you, Red. Hospitals here do ask for those papers. We had papers made up while in Chicago and when we had them checked here in Hawaii realized that we forgot to have it witnessed and notarized. Sheesh! It's done now though. Happy 78th Birthday! Here's to several more happy decades for you.

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    1. They ask for them here. Too. The govt. department witnessed and made all the necessary copies and even gave us the " green sleeve "to put on the fridge.

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  6. Well you are still there, life and kicking aren't you. Happy Birthday to you!

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    1. Yes, I am very fortunate to have good health.

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  7. Happy birthday! And very well done. These are important things to do, but things that we often put off.

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    1. Thanks. We took our sweet time about getting the form done.

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  8. I have directives I filled out decades ago along with my will. I should make copies and mail them to the kids!

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    1. The govt department made all the copies and gave us the plastic sleeve to put on the fridge.

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  9. Seventy-seven is the luckiest year ever!

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    1. I didn't know that. I did have a very good year.

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  10. Well, first of all, happy birthday! And congratulations on spending your last day as a 77-year-old on a worthwhile task. Having those documents in order is important.

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    1. Thanks. These forms are hard to deal with as we have but o take a serious look at end of life affairs.

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  11. You know this is what I do as a volunteer, working to help people fill out their Advance Directives. It's been very rewarding, and I do know the importance of having one to avoid all kinds of unwanted outcomes. Good for your daughter for reminding you, and good for you to start your next year with it in place. Oh, and Happy Birthday!! :-)

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    1. I was thinking of you when I wrote the post.

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  12. Happy Birthday!! It's hard to get those things done. Easier to just put it off for another month or two. :) Good for you. Hope you've had a very special day.

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    1. Thanks. It's so easy to put off that I put it off for 5 years.

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  13. We do have all the paperwork done, and the kids know where it is all kept. We should probably get it out and review it sometime. I do worry a bit if we really have everything covered. Same with insurance and pensions and all that stuff.
    Happy Birthday to you! My 78 be great for you.

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    1. Life situations change so it's difficult form to make and update.

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  14. Turning your affairs over to someone, even a beloved family member, can be traumatic. I hope you have a wonderful birthday tomorrow

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    1. I think you recent ly went through this situation with your mother

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  15. Those personal care directives are very important! Ours are on file at our clinic and hospital and I have copies here at home. Get yours done! Happy 78 Birthday Red! :)

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    1. Thanks. Here we leave them on the fridge for paramedics.

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  16. Happy Birthday to you!

    I read your post yesterday and happened to wake up in the night (the dog needed settling) then I lay awake considering that I need to make a will. I guess you achieved your aim!

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    1. Thanks. Yes, by all means get that will made. Decisions for end of life are difficult to make.

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  17. I hope you are not planning on death any time soon Red as I like reading your blog. Happy 78th birthday!

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    1. Thanks. Don't worry. I'm not a very good planner

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  18. Happy birthday!
    Interesting. In Ontario, our laws define who makes decisions in the event... firstly spouse, then parents/children, etc. Capacity and Substitute Decision Making, and Power of Attorney are difficult times for families. Have you had the 5 questions discussion? This is the most important thing to do. Hubby, with cancer, and I have had this discussion. Many times. It's about quality of life.

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    1. Haven't heard of the fiv e questions. Now I'll have to look it up.

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  19. My husband fell last week; he wasn't seriously injured but did have to go to the emergency room. It was a wake up call. We are going to be reviewing "our documents". I realized, my son didn't even know where we kept them. And happy birthday to you!

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    1. The personal directives come into force when someone is incapacitated. That can happen very quickly. Good luck in updating.

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  20. A good reminder, because this is something we should all do. And ... happy birthday!

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    1. Hey, I wonder what I'll do for my next birthday.

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  21. Hi Red, Wow, I'm lucky to get in on this post before you left your replies! :-) First of all, Happy Birthday! I appreciate your story about the Advance Directives. I also like the way the Province will help with getting them done. This is another good example of Canada being a leader! Have a great week ahead!

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    1. Thanks. Not many people know of this assistance. We found it by accident.

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  22. A happy belated birthday Red, we are not far behind you. A very interesting post and one that reminds us all that we should get our affairs in order, for the sake of our children.

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  23. I'm late to the party so I wish you a happy and healthy 78th year. Glad you got everything in order so now you can relax and have some fun.

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  24. It's a bit late, but Happy Birthday to you! Hope your 78th year is quite wonderful.
    Paul and I did our personal directives a few months ago and I'm glad to have it all done. I know our children will appreciate it one day.

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  25. First off, I hope you had a Happy Birthday Red.
    Thanks for posting this. I really need to do the same, and I've done nothing about it all so far.

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  26. Happy this GLORIOUS journey of life Red.
    first of all i would say"it is really nice to meet you through blogging world"

    I am sure the journey was Magnificent and filled with unforgettable memories.
    lots of steps towards clear atmosphere of wisdom from foggy youth by learning gradually .
    joys and peace of mind finally with serenity and eternal peace of mind which cannot be shaken with any wave of time or life!!! .

    Stay blessed always Red!
    wise decision to prepare papers for hard time(God forbid)

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  27. My daughter got us going on that this week when she and hubby brought me back home. My hubby is 78 March 79. I am 75 and 76 January 8th.
    So we too have joined you. I guess me having had that knee operation. It has made me think more. I have other knee to be replaced. Also new knee. And I seen and heard bad complications with operations. My neighbor before I went to daughters. He passed away. Oh we miss him so much.

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