Next of Kin/Emergency Contact?

Oh, that’s very sad, I’m so sorry, Juniewoonie. Did your son have a partner that might be prepared to be NOK? Or a neighbour?

Same for me, Junie

I have 2 grandchildren, a sister abroad, and that was it.

I've had to put my older grandson as next of kin, but I feel pretty uncomfortable with the idea.

On a side note if you have a mobile phone make sure you set up emergency contacts on the front log in page. If they need to the emergency services can check that screen and contact people, my phone also allows me to enter brief medical history not sure if you can do that on all phones

I never quite understand this because the next of kin has no legal standing.

Yes as Janetashbolt said have emergency contacts on your phone. I’m talking iPhones as I’m not sure how it works on Androids.
If you go into your contacts you can choose who you want as your ICE (in case of emergency? and these will show on your ‘medical alert’.
This is accessible even if the personal code hasn’t activated your phone.
Also useful if your phone is lost or you find a phone

My cousin is an only child, both parents gone, he's not married or has a partner. He asked me to be his next of kin, and emergency contact. I only see him about once a year, we are not overly close.
But I was honoured to say yes.
Sure most close friends or a Neice or Nephew would be happy to be your NOK.

I too have no one, perhaps I should put the speaking clock

Rather like that too. I have two sons but don't live near me. In an emergency, how quickly would the contact need to be at the "scene". A 3 hour flight away?

I've recently got a new passport and have the same dilemma with emergency contacts. Previously I'd named my son and daughter but they've since cut themselves off from me. I have step-sons and nieces but I don't want to put them down, I want my own 'kids', so have left it blank.

Juniewoonie Sorry for your losses 🤗 the nurse needs some EI training

Juniewoonie

I had a small medical procedure yesterday and was asked to name my next of kin or my emergency contact and it suddenly hit me that after loosing my husband and two friends to Covid and more recently my son to cancer that I'm totally alone. It didn’t help when the nurse questioned my response saying surely I had someone to call on!

I am in much the same case as you. So after my husband died, I asked a younger friend if he would accept a provisional power of attorney on my behalf, as none of us knows what the future will bring.

If you have no-one suitable to name, then surely Citizen's Advice or a solicitor can direct you to person or firm of solicitors, bank manager, etc who can act on your behalf if it should become necessary.

Many of us have no living children or siblings and there is no point whatsoever in asking someone of our own age to accept a provisional power of attorney, as they might well predecease us.

I'm in the same situation as all my children live in different countries. I usually put down my daughter, but as she is a 20 hour flight away what good is that?

I always think the next of kin would be the person who came to your home and cleared up all your things if you had passed away. Just think about who that would be, because it has to be someone. Normally they would also be a beneficiary or executor of your will.

jakuss

I too have no one, perhaps I should put the speaking clock

Sorry to be so blunt, but who would, in the event of your demise, deal with your funeral, estate?

Given a nasty hospital experience a friend had recently, I am sure they would be quick to DNR/switch you off if you were unable to speak for yourself.

Do you have some long term neighbours you trust?
Perhaps you could do some family research and make contact with distant cousins?
How well do you know your GP, your vicar, your solicitor, your local councillor (although they would likely be much older)?

Next of Kin/someone to contact in an emergency does not need to be a relative. It could be a GP, neighbour, someone you know from a group or perhaps from a church. Have a good think about it Junie and see if you can come up with someone who would be willing to do this for you. I hope you can find the right person.

I was taken unawares recently at an A&E visit when I was asked if my next of kin (late DH's name) was still my next of kin. He passed away 4 yrs ago and I was dumbstruck it was such a shock and the tears just poured down my face. The question was repeated and then the receptionist looked up at me and just said 'never mind' and left it at that.

Before I had major op last year they asked me my next of kin, but as my husband has Parkinsons and dementia there is no point in putting him so I changed it to my daughter. Sad but necessary.

That must have been a difficult time for you especially as it seems you have no further children.
Have you any siblings or nieces and nephews? If not a close cousin.
As one of my sons live in NZ and the other works abroad my dear niece has offered to look after me when I cannot live alone. Also, my older brother and my daughter-in-law is my next of kin but she won’t be living near me once their girls have finished school

Often it's just an emergency contact number that's required. My evening class insists on a number. Sensible I suppose but it shouldn't throw you into confusion.

I generally put my DS number because I know it by heart. He lives in Ireland so not handy but he could answer the phone and confirm my identity.

I am so sorry you have lost your closest people Junie that's very sad .

Type in ICE before your emergency contact, In Case of Emergency. Emergency services know what to search for.