FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is a POLST form and where can I get one?
A POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a pink, single-page, double-sided, state-issued document intended to guide emergency personnel in the event you need resuscitation. It is a medical order that is activated if you die suddenly. It indicates whether or not you want attempts to made to rescue you and bring you back to life. In California, you can get one from your doctor or download a form via the California POLST Program (https://capolst.org/polst-for-healthcare-providers/forms/). In Rossmoor, you can obtain an official, bright pink California POLST form at the Counseling Center in the Gateway complex. - What is a fiduciary and how can I find one?
A fiduciary is a person or company which primarily manages financial decisions in your best interest when you cannot. Their services are fee-based. Find one via Professional Fiduciary Association of California (https://pfac-pro.org/) or local referrals; verify licensing and fees. - How can I find an estate attorney to help with my will and trust?
You need an estate attorney to create a will and trust. Without these documents, your survivors may have to go through a lengthy and costly legal process called probate. Find an estate attorney through the California State Bar lawyer referral service (californiaattorneyreferral.com) or National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org); look for an attorney with experience in estate planning and elder law. - I’ve heard of Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). Is this legal and how does one qualify?
Medical Aid in Dying is legal in California under California End of Life Option Act (aadm.org). Eligibility requires terminal illness, cognitive capacity to self-administer medications, two physicians’ confirmation that you have less than six months to live from an incurable illness, and oral and written requests by the patient.
- How do I talk to my family about my final wishes?
Start early, be honest, and focus on values. You may need to be assertive as some family members may find it difficult to face this topic. Use tools like advance directives; revisit discussions periodically to ensure clarity. (theconversationproject.org, compassionandchoices.org). - Do I really need advance health care directives?
Strongly recommended. Advance directives guide your care if you lose capacity; this document will designate a decision-maker, and prevent unwanted treatment. They’re essential for preserving autonomy and easing family stress. (fivewishes.org, compassionandchoices.org) - My uncle died and my aunt had to spend $20,000 to bury him in our family’s plot. Are there less costly alternatives?
Yes. Lower-cost options may include cremation, green burial, water cremation, or donation to medical science (free) — often far less expensive than traditional funerals and burials. Costs vary widely and tend to be based on location and amenities chosen. - What is a Death Doula?
A death doula (end-of-life doula) provides non-medical support—emotional, spiritual, and practical—to patients and families before, during, and shortly after death (inelda.org). - If I’m told I have a serious, potentially fatal health condition, can I choose not to be treated?
Yes. Competent adults have the right to refuse or stop treatment, even if life-sustaining, based on informed consent and personal values. Most medical procedures, including different forms of diagnosis and treatment, require your written consent. Be sure you understand your options before signing. - How old is too old?
There’s no fixed age limit. Decisions depend on health, function, goals, and quality of life—not chronological age alone.