THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2026 Page 17 1. July 31 is International Lifeguard Appreciation Day; the fi rst U.S. beach patrol was in what city that inspired the Monopoly board game? 2. What bird’s name is also in the name of a type of song? 3. What is the Latin name of Odysseus (also the name of a president)? How to Make Sure Your End-of-Life Wishes Are Followed Dear Savvy Senior, I had a living will/advance directive prepared about 10 years ago documenting my end-of-life medical wishes, but I’ve read that these documents are often ignored. What can you tell me about this? --Troubled Tina Dear Tina, Yes, unfortunately, that can happen. Living wills aren’t always followed in practice, most often because the document isn’t available when it’s needed or never reaches the right people in time. They can also fall short because they aren’t medical orders, and the language may be too vague to guide doctors in an emergency. That doesn’t mean your wishes won’t be honored, but it does mean a little extra planning can help prevent confusion later. Here’s how to make sure your wishes are followed. Advance directive + POLST About 40 percent of older Americans have an advance directive. This typically includes a living will that spells out the care you want if you become incapacitated, and a health care power of attorney (or proxy) who is authorized to make decisions on your behalf. To strengthen those instructions, talk with your doctor about completing a POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) — sometimes called MOLST or POST depending on your state. Unlike a living will, this is a doctor-signed medical order that must be followed by EMTs and hospital staff . It translates your wishes into clear instructions for treatments such as CPR, breathing machines, and feeding tubes. These interventions can save lives but may also cause harm if you are very ill or frail. Discussing them ahead of time helps you weigh the trade-offs and makes it easier for your family to understand your choices, easing stress if decisions must be made quickly. Even if you already have an advance directive, adding a POLST can make your wishes clearer. Without one, fi rst responders are generally required to attempt resuscitation and transport you to a hospital, where doctors may pursue aggressive treatment if your living will isn’t available or specific enough. Once your POLST is completed, make sure it is easy to fi nd. Keep a copy on the refrigerator, carry one in your wallet, and save a photo on your phone. Share copies with your health care proxy, family members, and physicians so everyone is aligned. It’s also wise to ask your providers to add the form to your electronic health record, since medical information isn’t always shared between hospitals and care facilities. These steps can make a real difference in helping ensure your wishes are followed. If discussing these issues with family feels difficult, websites like The Conversation Project (theconversationproject.org) and Prepare for Your Care (prepareforyourcare.org) off er helpful guidance. One final note: if you’re planning surgery, you may want to temporarily suspend your POLST in case your heart stops briefl y during the procedure. And if you haven’t yet created an advance directive, you can do so for free at caringinfo.org or mydirectives. com, or for a small fee — $5 to $7.50 — at fi vewishes. org. Taking these steps now can help ensure your wishes are followed and ease the burden on your loved ones later. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5, Norman, OK 7070. 4. On Aug. 1, 1965, what science fiction novel featuring giant worms was fi rst published? 5. Which 2026 FIFA World Cup team won the Fair Play award? 6. In July 2026 in what city (same name as a state) was the longest foosball table created? 7. On Aug. 2, 1921, what Italian tenor died who had had 607 performances at NYC’s Met? 8. Does an ear of corn have more kernels or corn silks? 9. How are Olive Oyl, Castor Oyl and Cole Oyl similar? 10. On Aug. 3, 1991, what space shuttle (name of a legendary island) was launched? 11. How are George Gershwin, Felix Mendelssohn and Vivaldi similar? 12. What insect has been associated with good luck? 13. August 4 is Coast Guard Day; during World War II, Walt Disney created a logo for its Corsair Fleet featuring what character? 14. How are Benjamin Franklin, Michelle Kwan and Shirley Temple similar? 15. What means both a type of money and a moon phase? 16. “Madam, I’m Adam” is a palindrome, which means what? 17. On Aug. 5, 1914, the fi rst electric traffi c signals were tested in Cleveland, which was named after what general with an almost identical name? 18. What new prime minister opined that adding milk before a teabag “softens the teabag a bit and makes it stronger”? 19. What does antimacassar mean: a hair oil, a political group or a protective covering? 20. On Aug. 6, 1926, in NYC, was the debut of Vitaphone, which was what? Answers 1. Atlantic City, N.J. (In 1855 the City Council appointed a “Constable of the Surf.”) 2. Swan (A swan song has meanings including a farewell appearance.) 3. Ulysses (Grant) 4. “Dune” by Frank Herbert 5. Netherlands 6. NYC (525 feet at Brooklyn Navy Yard, according to Guinness World Records) 7. Enrico Caruso 8. It has one corn silk for each kernel. 9. Oyl family members in the comic strip “Thimble Theatre” — later called “Popeye” 10. Atlantis 11. All composers; all of works with “summer” (“Summertime,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Summer” [in “The Four Seasons”], respectively) 12. Ladybug 13. Donald Duck 14. Former U.S. ambassadors 15. Buck 16. Something that reads the same forward or backward 17. Moses Cleaveland (Legend has it that in 1830 a newspaper could not squeeze the “a” into a headline, so it became Cleveland.) 18. Britain’s Andy Burnham 19. Protec t i ve cove r - ing (some crocheted) for parts of furniture; named after Macassar hair oil 20. The fi rst synchronized sound track for a film — the premiere of “Don Juan”
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