17
Dec 2024
Hospitalization and Your Estate: Steps Families Need to Take
Published in General on December 17, 2024
You might not be thinking about estate planning during a health crisis. However, recent research indicates that addressing these matters can significantly enhance the peace of mind for both patients and their families.
A survey by online estate planning service Willed.com.au found that 85% of people reported feeling relieved after completing their will. This sense of relief can be particularly meaningful during hospital stays and health challenges.
"What we often see is that health crises prompt people to think about their estate planning," says David Kaplan, co-founder of Willed. It's crucial to plan ahead, but it's never too late to make appropriate arrangements. The relief people feel after doing so can help them focus on what's most important—their health and family."
The survey revealed several intriguing trends:
- 57% of respondents were under age 45;
- 64% were first-time will makers; and
- 80% valued the convenience of online services.
For patients and families dealing with serious illness, these findings highlight some important considerations.
Time-Sensitive Planning
Time is crucial when dealing with health issues. The survey found that 80% of respondents appreciated the convenience of online services, which can be particularly valuable for those unable to leave the hospital or dealing with time constraints.
Keeping Documents Updated
The data showed that 73% of respondents over 60 were updating existing wills rather than creating new ones. During health challenges, it's crucial to ensure all estate planning documents are current and reflect your present wishes.
"Having up-to-date estate planning documents can be crucial during health crises," Kaplan explains. "It ensures that healthcare providers and family members understand your wishes and that your affairs are in order, allowing everyone to focus on health and recovery."
Key documents to consider:
- Will
- Power of Attorney
- Advanced Care Directive
- Healthcare Proxy
- Asset Inventory
- Important Contacts List
For families supporting someone through a health crisis, helping them get these documents in order can provide significant comfort and security. The high percentage of people reporting relief after completing their will suggests that estate planning can be an important part of overall well-being during challenging times.
Remember, while property ownership was the primary motivator for 38% of survey respondents to create a will, health considerations can be an equally important trigger for getting affairs in order.
If you or a loved one is facing health challenges, consider speaking with healthcare providers about estate planning resources. Many hospitals have social workers or patient advocates who can provide guidance on these important decisions.
Don't let uncertainty about estate planning add to the stress of a health crisis. Organizing your affairs can offer crucial peace of mind during critical times.
![A Medicare bulk-billed urgent care clinic, established by the federal government to help reduce emergency department pressures, has unexpectedly closed in Bundaberg, Queensland, less than a year after opening. Located 400 kilometres north of Brisbane, this clinic was one of 75 launched across Australia since June 2023 to redirect non-life-threatening cases away from hospitals, allow emergency departments to focus on the most critical cases.
Since its opening in November last year, the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) has provided care to hundreds of patients. However, it unexpectedly closed its doors on October 22, with plans to reopen a week later. A sign now indicates that it is "closed until further notice." This makes the Bundaberg UCC the only one of its kind in Australia to shut down.
Patient Sue Hackett expressed her surprise upon arriving at the clinic on Tuesday when she found it closed. “I looked on the website, and it actually showed it was open... I've come here assuming they're open,” Ms. Hackett said.
Julie Sturgess, chief executive of the region's public health network Country to Coast, told the ABC that she could not provide specific details regarding the reasons behind the abrupt closure of the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic. “There are ongoing negotiations with the provider of that service,” Ms. Sturgess stated.
In response to the closure, a free phone service called Connect2Care has been established, allowing callers to speak with a registered nurse for their urgent care needs. “If further care is required, such as seeing a GP, we can organize an appointment either with your regular GP or a phone or video consultation with an online GP through that service,” Ms. Sturgess explained.
Additionally, some GP practices in Bundaberg are extending their hours to accommodate extra appointments. The Bundaberg UCC was operated by the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre (IWC), a non-profit Aboriginal-controlled health organization that serves the entire community. The IWC has declined to comment on the closure.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler informed the ABC that services at the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic are expected to resume shortly.
The Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) has expressed ongoing concerns regarding the viability of the federal government's urgent care clinic program. AMAQ President Nick Yim emphasized that these clinics often duplicate services already provided by GP clinics. “We believe the federal funding for these clinics would be better invested in existing general practices around the state,” Dr. Yim stated.
Sue Hackett shared that she was able to secure a same-day appointment at a GP clinic, but it would come at a cost. “I just want to go to a place where I can get sorted with my medical condition, plus I don’t have to pay,” she expressed, highlighting the challenges many face in accessing affordable healthcare.
Tim Spargo, the owner of the pharmacy located next to the Urgent Care Clinic, emphasized the critical role the clinic has played in the community. He noted that when travellers forgot their chronic condition medications or prescriptions, he could direct them to the UCC for assistance. “In the 11 months that it's been open, it has really served a vital purpose … it has taken that pressure off [emergency departments],” Mr. Spargo stated, expressing the urgent need for such services in the area.
"What's clear is that federal Labor is unable to deliver on their commitments, and the people of Bundaberg and the surrounding district, who desperately need additional services, have been let down," he said. "No matter who you talk to, whether it's the GPs themselves or others, they are just overrun with work, and what should be a godsend is now closed."
In response, Mr Butler reiterated that patients can still receive assistance through the phone line, which will "help ensure the Bundaberg community's urgent care needs continue to be met."
Meanwhile, newly elected Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has pledged an additional half a billion dollars to reduce ramping across the state to below 30 per cent over the next four years. Queensland Health data from April to June this year indicates that 44.7 per cent of patients were not transferred off ambulance stretchers within 30 minutes. This issue is particularly pressing for Bundaberg Hospital, which has been struggling with high demand and limited resources. Crisafulli also promised to recruit 34,200 additional health workers by 2032.](https://c3eeedc15c0611d84c18-6d9497f165d09befa49b878e755ba3c4.ssl.cf4.rackcdn.com/photos/blogs/article-832-1730723697.jpg "Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic Closes Abruptly, Leaving Patients in Uncertainty")
