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Ursuline Center forum focuses on funerals, wills, other late-life issues
By LINDA M. LINONIS
CANFIELD
In America’s youth-obsessed society, few want to think about aging. But getting older is a fact of life.
How people handle later-in-life issues was addressed in a program, “Hoping for the Best, Planning for the Rest,” on Thursday at the Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road. The center and Park Vista retirement community of Youngstown were sponsors.
Speakers were attorney Charlene Burke of Lane and Rusu attorneys at law, specializing in elder law, probate and estate planning; Chris Crepage of Lifebanc Ohio Organ and Tissue Donation; Cheryl Thompson of Lane Family Funeral Home; Pamela Rogers of Senior Independence Home Health Care and Hospice; and Beth Ann Tabak of Park Vista.
Burke said as people get older, they should make arrangements for power of attorney over finances to a spouse, children or friend. “It has to be someone you trust,” she said. When there’s no provisions made for financial power of attorney, the decisions are made by probate court.
She also suggested health-care power of attorney backed up by a living will. “The living will helps the person making decisions,” Burke said. In the living will, she said, a person makes clear “what they want and don’t want” as far as life-saving measures.
Making a will is vital, Burke said. “If you don’t have one, the state of Ohio will direct the assets.” When people don’t plan how their assets will be dispersed, the state will make the decisions, she said.
“Revisit your will as you age and circumstances change,” she advised.
Burke explained a living trust is “a more elaborate will” and won’t go through probate as a will would.
“Most people don’t want to talk about [planning a funeral] but they should,” Thompson said. “Making informed decisions when you’re not under stress is the better way,” she said.
While some may think planning your own funeral is morbid, Thompson said doing so ensures “your wishes will be carried out.”
Before the need arises is the time to find out and write down family information that is usually included in an obituary. Pre-arrangements for a funeral might include type of service, music, flowers, clothing and minister. When a funeral is pre-paid, the funds go into a trust. This method also locks in the cost of a funeral.
Rogers is a patient advocate with Senior Independence Home Health Care and Hospice, which is part of Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services. It is a non-profit, faith-based program that offers comprehensive care, home health, hospice, adult day care and non-medical home care. Rogers advised people to look into and visit facilities that offer “continuance of care.”
Tabak said she assembled four categories that people fall into. The advance planner does just that, the incident-responder reacts to a health crisis, for example; reluctant consenter undergoes a health change and a decision about lifestyle is promoted by family; and scrambler, who responds to a crisis. She said Park Vista is a continuing care retirement community. It offers independent living, assisted living and skilled care. This is an easier transition than going from one’s home to a nursing home.
Crepage said Ohioans can register to be an organ donor through their driver’s license or state identification card. There are 125,000 people nationwide who need transplants; 2,000 live in northeast Ohio.
Organs used are heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, liver and small intestine, and skin, bones ligaments and corneas. “Age doesn’t make a difference,” he said.
He stressed that people should share their wishes with their families. He pointed out the “first-person consent” given on a driver’s license or state ID can’t be overturned.
“The need is great,” he said for the “gift of life.” “Make plans to donate in advance.”