Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Antigua and Barbuda: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinate Palliative Care, Home Nursing, and Medical Benefits Coverage

   • Hospital and specialist oncology care: Coordinate inpatient and outpatient symptom management, pain relief, and palliative support through Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (formerly Mount St. John's Medical Centre), the Cancer Centre Eastern Caribbean, and community health clinics operating under the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation and the Environment of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda [1].
   • Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) registration: Ensure the ill person is actively registered with the Medical Benefits Scheme under the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, which provides financial assistance, prescription medication coverage at MBS pharmacies, and specialist support for qualifying chronic and life-limiting conditions including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes [1] [2].
   • Home nursing and community care: Request a discharge or outpatient care plan from the attending physician at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre to coordinate district public health nurse visits, home-based nursing support, and medical equipment in Antigua or Barbuda [1].
2. 2

   Record Advance Medical Preferences and Authorize Healthcare Communication

   • Documenting informed consent and treatment preferences: Under common-law medical consent principles applied in Antigua and Barbuda, a patient with full mental capacity has the right to consent to or refuse specific medical treatments (including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or artificial nutrition) and to have those written directives entered directly into their clinical file at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre or their private clinic under the Government of Antigua and Barbuda [1].
   • Appointing a designated medical contact and representative: Because Antigua and Barbuda does not have a standalone statutory Living Will Registry, the ill person should sign a written medical authorization at the treating hospital and clinic naming one or more trusted family members who may receive confidential medical records, attend specialist consultations, and communicate treatment preferences to the care team if the patient becomes unable to speak for themselves [1] [4].
   • Sharing signed copies with physicians and family: Provide signed, witnessed copies of the written care preferences to the attending physician, the primary family caregiver, and the person's attorney-at-law so that all parties have immediate access during medical emergencies [1] [4].
3. 3

   Execute Valid Powers of Attorney and Banking Mandates

   • Drafting and executing a Power of Attorney: While your family member retains full mental and legal capacity, instruct an attorney-at-law in Antigua and Barbuda to prepare a formal Power of Attorney under the laws published by the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety and Labour of Antigua and Barbuda, authorizing a trusted attorney-in-fact to manage bank accounts, real property, utilities, and legal filings [4] [5].
   • Notarization and High Court / Land Registry recording: A Power of Attorney intended for property transactions, land dealings, or legal representation before the High Court of Justice under the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court must be executed as a deed in the presence of witnesses (or before a Notary Public) and registered at the High Court Registry and the Land Registry in St. John's [4] [5].
   • Direct commercial bank mandates: Because local commercial banks in Antigua and Barbuda often require their own internal account mandate forms or certified copies of a registered Power of Attorney, visit or contact each bank while capacity is intact to verify signature specimens and ensure uninterrupted access to funds for medical and household expenses [1] [5].
4. 4

   Activate Sickness, Invalidity, and Caregiver Support Benefits

   • Social Security Sickness Benefit: If the ill person is under pensionable age (65) and experiences short-term loss of earnings due to certified medical incapacity, file a Sickness Benefit claim (accompanied by a medical certificate from the attending physician) with the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board within the statutory filing window (starting from the fourth day of continuous incapacity for up to 26 weeks) [2] [3].
   • Social Security Invalidity Pension or Grant: If the illness results in permanent or long-term inability to work after Sickness Benefit is exhausted (typically after at least six months of continuous incapacity), apply to the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board under the Social Security Act (Cap. 408) for an Invalidity Pension (where at least 150 to 250 weekly contributions have been paid) or a lump-sum Invalidity Grant [2] [3].
   • Representative payee and workplace leave arrangements: If the ill person cannot attend the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board offices in person, complete an agency authorization so a designated representative can collect benefit payments, and review the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code with employers regarding certified sick leave and family caregiving arrangements [2] [3] [4].
5. 5

   Review and Organize the Will, Civil Status Records, and Property Documents

   • Executing a valid will under the Wills Act (Cap. 473): Under Section 7 of the Wills Act (Cap. 473) published by the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety and Labour of Antigua and Barbuda, a will is valid only if it is in writing and signed at the foot or end thereof by the testator (or by another person in the testator's presence and by their direction) in the simultaneous presence of at least two independent witnesses, who must attest and subscribe the will in the presence of the testator [4]. Ensure that neither a beneficiary nor the spouse of a beneficiary acts as an attesting witness, as doing so voids any gift to that beneficiary under Section 13 of the Wills Act [4].
   • Organizing civil registry and land title records: Assemble originals or certified copies of birth and marriage certificates from the Civil Registry under the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Land Registry certificates of title (by Parish, Registration Section, Block, and Parcel number), insurance policies, and bank account statements so the appointed executor can later comply with the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Non-Contentious Probate and Administration of Estates) Rules 2017 [1] [4] [5].
   • Cross-border powers of attorney and Apostilles: If family members, executors, or assets are located abroad, arrange for any Power of Attorney or legal instrument executed in Antigua and Barbuda to receive a Hague Apostille from the Registrar of the High Court under the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, or ensure foreign powers of attorney are apostilled in their country of origin for recognition in Antigua and Barbuda [4] [5].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Government of Antigua and Barbuda Public Services Portal — Government of Antigua and Barbuda
2. [2]
   Social Security Act (Cap. 408) and Benefit Regulations — Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board
3. [3]
   Sickness and Incapacity Benefit Guidelines — Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board
4. [4]
   The Wills Act (Cap. 473) of the Laws of Antigua and Barbuda — Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety and Labour of Antigua and Barbuda
5. [5]
   Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Non-Contentious Probate and Administration of Estates) Rules 2017 — Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court