Some older people choose to live as unmarried partners for financial or other reasons. A consequence of this decision is that the person’s partner may experience challenges with the health care system, such as which of the following?
The unmarried partner may be legally required to make all decisions for a cognitively impaired patient.
The unmarried partner may be the only person who is able to visit the patient in the hospital.
The health care system may not recognize the unmarried partner as having a role in making caregiving decisions.
The health care system may require the unmarried partner to pay the hospital bill of the patient regardless of insurance.
