Durable Power Of Attorney Webinar Slated for Cinco de Mayo
/Do you—or someone you know—need to create a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) that designates who will handle personal affairs if mental capacity is impaired or lost? Are you named as DPOA for a relative or a friend and have questions about your responsibilities and how to successfully at carry them out?
People in the Kansas heartland can get trustworthy, easy-to-understand information about DPOAs and Living Wills at an upcoming Zoom event thanks to a regional initiative launched by the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging (NC-FH AAA) and Kansas Legal Services.
The first in the series focusing on these important documents will happen Tuesday, May 5 at 2 pm. Paul Shipp, Managing Attorney with Flint Hills Legal Services will present “DPOA Basics.” Registration for the Zoom event is available at www.ncfhaa.com/seminars or by calling 1-800-432-2703 and should be made on or before May 4, 2020.
Detailed instructions in how to participate in Zoom technology is available at www.ncfhaa.com/seminars and log-in instructions will be sent to those who register. There is no cost for participating; voluntary contributions are appreciated and accepted.
“Our goal with this Answers for Older Kansans series is to give older Kansans, people living with disabilities, their caregivers and family members quality, practical information about DPOAs and Living Wills—important health care decisions documents,” Julie Govert Walter, Executive Director of the NC-FH AAA, the region’s Aging and Disabilities Resource Center said.
Shipp, who has 20 years of experience in elder law, said that many Kansans put off decisions and completing this paperwork—and this often places unnecessary burdens on their families and loved ones.
”What if an accident, COVID-19 or dementia leaves you unable to tell your doctors what kind of medical treatment you want--or makes it impossible to manage your financial affairs?” Shipp asked.
“No one likes to think about grim times—however, it’s just smart to make plans for bad situations—and the truth is almost everyone faces this kind of bad situation sometime in their lives. We strongly encourage older Kansans and people living with disabilities to invite and bring the person they’ve named in their DPOA document to these events,” Shipp said.
Topics highlighted will include “Why having an up-to-date DPOA is important,” “What to consider in naming a person to be your DPOA,” “What to expect from someone who is your DPOA,” “Who should have a copy of your DPOA and Living Will documents” and other related questions.
Information packets including model DPOA and Living Will documents created by Kansas Legal Services specifically for this initiative will be available to each participant who registers.
For more information about the DPOA Basics or to reserve your place, call the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging (NC-FH AAA) at (800) 432-2703 or go to www.ncfhaaa.com.
The North Central-Flint Hills Agency on Aging, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization that plans, coordinates and provides services in 18 north central Kansas counties to enhance the quality and dignity of life for older Kansans, people living with disabilities and their families. Area Agency on Aging programs and services are
partially funded by the Older Americans Act through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and voluntary participant contributions. The Area Agency on Aging works in partnership with local and county governments and senior citizens’ groups. All services are available without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
