Advocacy Is Essential at Any Age

We must not underestimate the importance of having someone available to advocate for an elderly individual’s “best interests.” While personal wishes must be honored, not all older people can express what they truly want done or not done (depending on their unique circumstances). “Living wills” can go a long way to clarify one’s prior wishes, but even here there may be room for interpretation.

Two distinct cases recently brought this issue close to me, each illustrating different aspects of the same issue.

Mrs. B is an 82-year-old widow who lived alone and remaine...