PLAN YOUR LEGACY
– By Lisa Gonnering
W hether you believe in planning for the future, see the
value of investing in healthcare, want to ensure the good
health of our community, or are a grateful St. Joe’s patient
committed to paying it forward because of the care you or a
loved one has received, it is never too early to start planning
your own legacy gift. Considering leaving a legacy gift to St.
Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton – whether through a bequest
in a Will, a life-insurance policy, or a registered retirement
fund – which will touch the lives of patients and families for
generations to come.
Peggy North became involved with St. Joseph’s Healthcare
Hamilton when, 10 years ago, she took her husband, Karl,
to St. Joe’s Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health due to
a lung condition. Thanks to the care he received, Peggy and
her family were able to enjoy her husband’s company for
an additional three years. Now, Peggy shares she is “grateful
for the exceptional care Karl received, so I decided to make
St. Joe’s a beneficiary of the value of a RRIF – a Registered
Retirement Income Fund.”
Dean Mosca is excited by research and innovation, especially
in healthcare. He believes both are vital to discovering new
treatments, new ways of operating that lead to the best care
and the best recovery, and uncovering cures for diseases. Dean
named St. Joe’s Foundation as the owner and beneficiary of a
life insurance policy because it is “an opportunity to leave a
legacy behind not only for the community but for your family.”
“Working with planned giving donors like Peggy and Dean
is a pleasure, because I can help supporters plan a lasting
legacy that will honour their charitable wishes and at the same
time support patient care at St. Joe’s,” shared Lisa Gonnering,
Manager of Estate & Gift Planning with St. Joseph’s Healthcare
Foundation.•
For more information or to watch a video of Peggy and Dean’s full
legacy stories, visit st.joesfoundation.ca/legacy or contact Lisa at
905-522-1155 ext 35978.
“Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.”
– Chili Davis
28
An advance directive is a document that tells
others what you want to happen if you need medical
care and are unable to consent or refuse treatment.
You may want to include an advance directive as
part of your power of attorney for personal care.
An advance directive helps your substitute
decision-maker make difficult choices because
they know they are following your wishes in that
situation. The directive doesn’t need to be written
in any specific way and you don’t need to name
anyone to act on your behalf.
Under Ontario law, if you express wishes about
your future care while you are mentally capable,
these instructions will be binding on your attorney
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or other substitute decision-maker, unless your wishes
are impossible to follow at the time the attorney is asked
to make the medical or care decision. Some wishes may
include:
• Preference on life support treatments you want, and
whether they are to apply to prolong life or not
• Decisions on registered organ donation – itemized or
generalized
• Who you prefer to care for you or make decisions on
your behalf, should you not be able to do so yourself
• Decisions on DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) – although
you may want to discuss these with your doctor as well.