It is human nature to put off unpleasant and unsettling tasks. But not filling out a health care proxy and other advanced directives is a task that can’t wait. This applies to people of all ages, but especially to older adults, who may be unaware of the importance of having these documents.
The health care proxy is particularly critical. Recall the case of Terri Schiavo, the woman who suffered severe brain damage after going into cardiac arrest at her home in St. Petersburg, Fla. Terri had been in a persistent vegetative state with no chance of recovery for eight years when her husband, Michael, filed a petition with the court asking that her feeding tube be removed. Terri’s parents vociferously opposed this action which precipitated a struggle that tore Terri’s family apart and resulted in endless legal battles. This heartbreaking situation would not have occurred if Terri had prepared advanced health care directives. Sadly, what happened to Terri Schiavo is not an anomaly.
Fortunately, members of the Brooklyn community will be able to benefit from the expertise of compassionate volunteer attorneys to avoid such a dire fate. On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law & Special Needs Section, Access Justice Brooklyn, and the Brooklyn Bar Association will join in celebration of Mitchell Rabbino Health Care Decisions Day. The objective of this day, named in honor of elder law attorney Mitchell Rabbino, is to empower older adults with the resources and understanding of the importance of completing advanced directives. Volunteer attorneys from these sponsoring organizations plan on visiting participating senior and community centers across Brooklyn, to provide free presentations and FAQ sessions about health care proxies and other life planning documents.
A particularly significant element of the advanced planning process is making sure that your proposed agent will be able to carry out your wishes. If you do not want to be kept alive by artificial means, then don’t choose someone who would be uncomfortable directing that you be taken off life support. The attorney volunteers will counsel participants at the senior and community centers in this phase of completing the health care proxy as well as assisting them to fill out the form and having it witnessed.
Older adults who have not done any planning should really take advantage of this opportunity. If you are interested in attending one of these sessions or if you work at a senior center that would like a presenter to come to your facility, please get in touch with the following:
Contact Joan C. Lenihan, Esq. at (917) 805-2004 or joan.lenihan@gmail.com or Access Justice Brooklyn at info@accessjusticebk.org.
Joan C. Lenihan, Attorney at Law, is the coordinator of the 2025 Mitchell Rabbino Health Care Decisions Day.
