Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020 Fiscal and Management Control Board. What to Know About Advance Care Planning in the Age of Coronavirus Dear Savvy Senior, All this horrible coronavirus carnage got me thinking about my own end-of-life decisions if I were to get sick. Can you recommend some good resources that can help me create a living will or advance directive, or other pertinent documents? I’ve put it off long enough. Almost 70 Dear Almost, Creating a living will (also known as an advance directive) is one of those things most people plan to do, but rarely get around to actually doing. Only about one-third of Americans currently have one. But the cold hard reality of the novel coronavirus may be changing that. Here’s what you should know along with some resources to help you create an advance directive. Advance Directives To adequately spell out your wishes regarding your end-oflife medical treatment are two key documents: A “living will” which tells your doctor what kind of care you want to receive if you become incapacitated, and a “health care power of attorney” (or health care proxy), which names a person you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to. These two documents are known as an “advance directive,” and will only be utilized if you are too ill to make medical decisions yourself. You can also change or update it whenever you please. It isn’t necessary to hire a lawyer to prepare an advance directive. There are free or lowcost resources available today to help you create one, and it takes only a few minutes from start to fi nish. One that I highly recommend that’s completely free to use is My Directives (MyDirectives.com). This is an online tool and mobile app that will help you create, store and share a detailed, customized digital advance directive. Their easy-to-use platform combines eight thoughtful questions to guide you through the process. If you’re not computer savvy, ask a family member or trusted friend to help you. The advantage of having a digital advance directive versus a paper document is being able to access it quickly and easily via smartphone, which is crucial in emergency situations when they’re most often needed. If, however, you’d rather have a paper document, one of the best do-it-yourself options is the Five Wishes advance directive (they offer online forms too). Created by Aging with Dignity, a nonprofi t advocacy organization, Five Wishes costs $5, and is available in many languages. To learn more or to receive a copy, visit FiveWishes.org or call 850-681-2010. Another tool you should know about that will compliment your advance directive is the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or POLST (sometimes called Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or MOLST). A POLST form translates your end-of-life wishes into medical orders to be honored by your doctors. To learn more about your state’s program or set one up, see POLST.org. Readers should also know that if you’ve already prepared an advanced directive paper document, a POLST form or the VA advance directive form 10-0137, you can upload, store and share these documents too at MyDirectives.com. Finally, to ensure your fi nal wishes are followed, make sure to tell your family members, health care proxy and doctors. If you make a digital advance directive or have uploaded your existing forms, you can easily share them electronically to everyone involved. Or, if you make a paper advance directive that isn’t uploaded, you should provide everyone copies to help prevent stress and arguments later. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. THE HOUSE AND SENATE: The Senate last week agreed on the details of changing the Senate rules in order to hold a remote session during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then it made history when it held the first remote session with just a few members in the Senate chamber while most members watched and listened to the debate on their computers and voted from the comfort of their own homes or offi ces. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. $300 MILLION FOR LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES (S 2746) – The Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved a bill that includes $300 million for cities and towns for the maintenance, repair and improvement of local roads and bridges. The $300 million is $100 million more than the $200 million the state allocated last year. The House has already approved the $300 million as part of a larger bill authorizing the state to borrow $18 billion for transportation projects and infrastructure over the next ten years. The legislation also establishes a new seven-member MBTA Board of Directors to succeed the current Fiscal Management and Control Board. The MBTA Board of Directors will be responsible for governing and exercising the corporate powers of the MBTA. The Senate version diff ers from the House version which does not create a brandnew MBTA board but instead extends and expands the existing “Each unique geographic area of the commonwealth will benefi t from this legislation,” said Sen. Joseph Boncore (D-Winthrop), the Senate chair of the Transportation Committee. “It was critical that this bill address immediate needs while the Senate continues to work on long-term improvements to our transportation system. This $300 million investment will kick start the economy by fi nancing critical local infrastructure projects to advance our statewide transportation system. This legislation not only improves the experiences of those on our roads, but also those who depend on train and bus service.” “I believe we need a reliable, sustainable, safe, accessible and equitable transportation system in this commonwealth, and this legislation puts us on the right path to achieving that goal,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “As a proponent of regional equity in transportation, I am thrilled to assist our cities and towns with increased funding for infrastructure projects. I also look forward to seeing the formation of the new MBTA Board of Directors and working with this new inclusive body on shaping a true 21st century transit system.” “We applaud the State Senate for supporting annual funding of $300 … to repair and maintain local roads across Massachusetts,” said the group Transportation for Massachusetts. “The program has historically been funded at a lower amount of $200 million, making it harder for cities and towns to keep up with necessary roadway maintenance and improvements that allow for safer streets for everyone.” HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been fi led. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of June 8-12, the House met for a total of 18 minutes while the Senate met for a total of one hour and 35 minutes. Mon. June 8 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:08 a.m. Senate 11:12 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Tues. June 9 No House session. Senate 11:30 a.m. to 12:16 p.m. Wed. June 10 No House session No Senate session Thurs. June 11 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:13 a.m. Senate 11:38 a.m. to 12:24 p.m. Fri. June 12 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...Welcome to this 4 bdrm. Cape w/circular driveway and attached garage that sits on a corner lot bdrm. along w/an additional bdrm. and updated bath, to 31’ family rm./dining rm. addition w/sliders to a bright drawers and storage, second bathroom in lower level. such as newer roof and windows, updated plumbing and electric plus cent. air and alarm system. HUGE 40 ft. detached gar. w/a 12 ft. wide x 14 ft. high electric door. View the interior of this home right on your smartphone.
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