Living in the present: With

LIVING IN THE PRESENT

By Hannah Lisseter DIRECTOR, GLANVILLES

If ever there was a year to take stock, it was 2020. We’ve all had to confront the reality that life can be cut short and that we should not take the simple things for granted. Of great concern is the news that vulnerable people have been hardest hit, from having to shield to protect themselves to the incorrect use of Do-Not-Attempt-Resuscitate (DNAR) orders. Sadly, the CQC’s review into the application of DNAR orders during the pandemic has shown that they have been incorrectly used and applied to groups of people, particularly the elderly. However stretched our health and care services are, this kind of treatment cannot be tolerated. There are best practice guidelines set out by the Resuscitation Council, but unfortunately they are often ignored or treated as a tick-box exercise with people often accepting a DNAR to avoid feeling like a burden. Consultation on DNAR orders should prompt meaningful consultation with patients and loved ones and consider their wishes and their general health, not focus purely on age. All of us should talk to our loved ones about whether we would want to be resuscitated and our other wishes for care should we have an accident or serious illness. Once we are in an emergency situation it can be too late. There are many legal tools at our disposal to guarantee that our wishes are carried out by our loved ones in a legally binding way, including Advance Directives (Living Wills) and Lasting Powers of Attorney for Health and Welfare.

So whilst it is good to live in the present, we can only truly do that with the peace of mind that, whatever the future may hold, we have the right support in place. We really do need to start talking about our wishes should we lose mental and/or physical capacity or require emergency medical treatment. These conversations are difficult, but vital – no matter our age.

Hannah Lisseter specialises in Wills, Probate, Power of Attorney, and Court of Protection matters. Hannah.lisseter@gdlegalservices.co.uk

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