Allow advance power of attorney for mentally incapacitated

As I approach the evening of my life, one troubling image often keeps me awake.

- HARSH ROONGTA

In August 2016, my father suffered a massive stroke. It left him bedridden and entirely dependent on others. For someone fiercely independent, self-made, disciplined — and who had risen to become the chief financial officer (CFO) of a large, listed company — losing autonomy had always been his greatest fear.

He had witnessed a similar fate befall his father, my grandfather, who spent his final years mentally and physically incapacitated after a stroke. Determined not to leave anything to chance, my father prepared meticulously: He prepared a registered will, nominated family members for his accounts, and maintained detailed records of his assets. Ironically, he overlooked the one scenario he feared most — mental incapacitation.

When the stroke struck, we found all his accounts were solely in his name, leaving us unable to access funds even for his care. Fortunately, he retained enough awareness to eventually authorize my sister and me to manage his affairs. But what if he had slipped into a coma or lost all mental capacity?