Unbefriended

Nancy lives alone and suffered a major stroke.  She cannot communicate her medical wishes, does not have a Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare and her hospital care team cannot locate a friend or family member to help. Nancy has become “unbefriended”.

In today’s world we are all familiar with the social media terms ‘friend’ and ‘unfriend’. But have you heard the term ‘unbefriended’? No, it’s not related to social media, but instead describes individuals who lack capacity to make medical decisions and don’t have an advance directive in place. Many of us haven’t heard this word used in this way but as our population continues to age, more people will fall into this category and require specific support and resources.

Like Nancy, unbefriended individuals have no advance directive in place, or the one they have doesn’t address the relevant circumstances. The unbefriended don’t  have a healthcare agent  (nor the capacity to appoint one) nor do they have a court-appointed guardian.

How does someone like Nancy become unbefriended?

Often, they don’t have family or a friend willing or appropriate to make decisions. They have often limited their community involvement and aren’t part of a social network. In addition, they can have chronic medical conditions.  Can you see why people who fit in this category can slip through the cracks and not receive the best possible care?

It may not be possible for all people ,who might temporarily or permanently fall into the unbefriended category, to plan for healthcare incapacity. However, for people who are knowingly aging alone and have capacity (elder orphan), it is important to plan and create an advance directive naming a surrogate decision maker. Elder law attorneys can help suggest people to act in this role if no friend or family is available.

Currently 27% of people over 60 live alone and this number is growing rapidly. Call Hurley Elder Care Law  today at 404-843-0121 so our experienced team can help you plan to get the best care possible for your future.