Episode #16
Advance Directives Explained: What Every Georgia Family Needs to Know | Aging Answers
About 70 percent of people do not have an advance directive. When a health crisis hits, that gap leaves families guessing about the most important decisions at the worst possible time.In this episode of Aging Answers, Rebecca Cox and Vicki Jones sit down with Libby Dunahoo, who leads the advance care planning team at Northeast Georgia Health System. She explains what an advance directive actually is, how Georgia law treats it, and why every adult over 18 should have one. She also shares a simple tool called Plan in a Can that helps families get ready for an emergency and start a conversation most people avoid.--------------------------------------WHAT WE COVER- Why hospitals are required to ask if you have an advance directive- The difference between a living will, a last will and testament, and ahealthcare power of attorney- Part 1 and Part 2 of a Georgia advance directive, and what each one does- Why you do not need an attorney to complete one in Georgia- What Georgia law does when you have no advance directive, and why common law marriage and legal separation create problems- What DNR really means, and why everyone is a full code outside the hospital- The truth about CPR that most families never hear- Plan in a Can, and how a recycled tennis can could help save a life--------------------------------------ABOUT PLAN IN A CANPlan in a Can is a simple emergency tool built from a recycled tennis ball can. Inside goes a medical form with your advance directive status, your medications, your medical history, and your allergies, along with personal items you would want in the hospital like glasses, hearing aids, and a phone charger. Keep one on top of your refrigerator and one in your car. If you ever have to call 911, the information goes with you.--------------------------------------RESOURCESAdvance care planning at Northeast Georgia Health SystemGo to nghs.com, open the Patient and Visitors tab, and select Advance Care Planning. You can download a blank Georgia advance directive, follow a step by step guide for each section, request printed folders by mail, or use the contact form to ask a question.--------------------------------------CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTSRebecca CoxDirector of Sales and Marketing, Manor Lake Senior Living, Dawsonville Independent living, assisted living, and memory careManorLakeDW.comVicki JonesSenior Real Estate Specialist, Anchor Real Estate Advisorsanchorhomeadvisors.comresultsbyvicki@gmail.com--------------------------------------If this helped you, like the video, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. New episodes of Aging Answers help families sort out senior care with clear answers and simple next steps.#AdvanceDirective #AdvanceCarePlanning #LivingWill #HealthcarePowerOfAttorney #DNR #EndOfLifePlanning #PlanInACan #Caregiving #SeniorCare #ElderCare #Georgia #AgingAnswers
