What to do when your loved one dies at home?
When a loved one dies, everything stops. The floor beneath your feet can seem to disappear and though the earth keeps spinning, your world can be turned upside down. At a time like this, it’s hard to keep your balance and know what you should or must do to keep going,
If your loved one dies at home, however, there are things you’ve got to do — some immediately, some as soon as possible and others as time (painfully and fortunately) evolves. Perhaps you’ve had advance warning and have had the chance to talk to doctors and nurses or end-of-life care organizations such as Hospice who can inform you somewhat on what to expect and what to do when the time comes. Organizations like the NIH and the National Institute on Aging will also provide compassionate and intelligent guidance giving you a chance to prepare for the unthinkable. Each source we cite may prioritize things slightly differently, but generally…
Here’s what to do immediately!
- Call 911 right away if someone dies in your home. Explain the situation and they will send out an ambulance with the police. The police will want to know what happened and may even investigate for elder abuse to make sure there was nothing amiss or anything that needs to be investigated.
- Know or check to see if there’s an DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) document. If there is one, give it to the police and paramedics immediately. If not, they will most likely perform CPR and remove the body to the nearest emergency room or hospital for a doctor to declare death. A DNR is a legal form that allows natural death. The form must be filled out and signed by the patient when they are of “sound mind.” It is meant to respect their wishes not to try to resuscitate their heart if it stops. Here is a link to a DNR form provided by the Illinois department of public health. Make sure to inform your family if you have such a document.
- Obtain a time of death document. Make sure you obtain the legal document pronouncing time of death. Make copies to give to insurance companies, lawyers, government agencies and financial institutions. This is important and avoids a lot of unnecessary questioning by different authorities.
- Arrange for the body to be moved. Find a funeral home or crematorium that suits you and your family’s needs. By law, the crematorium or mortuary must provide you with cost information over the phone. Notify your loved one’s doctor or the county coroner, family and friends.
- Check for documents to see if arrangements have been made. Look through your loved one’s files to see if any arrangements or wishes have been made regarding burial or cremation. Ask others close to the person if they know of any preferences.
What to do over the next weeks or months
- Take the will to the appropriate county or city office to be accepted for probate.
- Talk to the estate executor who may choose to get help from a trust or an estate attorney. If you’re the estate executor you will undoubtedly have questions and concerns. Don’t worry. There are all kinds of online sources for assistance and estate executors can start here.
- Talk to an un-taxing accountant. Ask how to transfer assets and assist with probate issues. See if an estate tax return needs to be filed or any final income tax return.
- Contact any personal investment adviser and appropriate banks. Check for assets, holdings, stocks, other bank account and safety deposit boxes.
- Find out about insurance. This should be done fairly quickly. If the person was working, get information on insurance and pensions. Contact any agencies were the person might have collected benefits such as the social security office or veteran’s affairs.
- Consider any loved one who has been left behind. Perhaps the person who died was living with someone else and taking care of them. Now what happens? Who can be there to provide the in-home care and understanding they need? This is the time to consider a trustworthy, highly recommended, in-home, non-medical care agency like Picket Fence Home Care.
Consider the help in-home care can provide
If you or someone you love needs in-home care, the first rule is to make sure the agency is licensed by the state, carries in-depth insurance and is bonded for your protection. There are two other very important areas to consider with regard to in-home care: 1) The kinds of services provided and whether they meet your needs and the kind of care offered.
Service-wise, we’re in the neighborhood and there when and however you need us. Picket Fence Home Care offers all kinds of personal services that range from around-the-clock care and protection, to simpler tasks like cleaning the house, or personal grooming. We can care for the house, check the mail, water the plants and walk the dog. You tell us what is needed and we’ll try to accommodate you.
In terms of the kind of care we give all our clients, the operative word is “kind.” Picket Fence Home Care caregivers are known, loved and appreciated for their compassionate, heads-up, hands-on, hearts-involved service. We customize and personalize services and match patients and caregivers to ensure compatibility for the near and long term.
When a loved one passes, we are often consumed by loss and emptiness, but part of that emptiness can be filled by home care people who make you feel at home and there’s no other place in the world more wonderful.
About Picket Fence Services
Picket Fence Home Care is proud to offer clients state-of-the-art and state-of-the heart treatment services in the peace and safety of home sweet home. We are a non-medical service provider that treats our clients like family, helping them to overcome hardships and live rich, fulfilling, independent lives. For those recovering from surgery, disabled individuals or seniors who need help with acts of daily living, we strive for and provide the highest possible quality of life with a warm touch and unsurpassed compassion. Contact us.
Resources and References (In addition to the hyperlinks provided)
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2012/10/what-to-do-when-a-loved-one-dies/index.htm
https://www.thebalance.com/dying-without-a-will-in-illinois-3505048