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Can you recall an incident that just
scared you to death? Maybe the stool you were standing on to
change a light bulb wobbled. Or did you have a really close call
driving to work? Who among us can say no?
Even if you
could guarantee 100% that you wouldn't ever have an accident,
never become seriously ill, and that you would one day die
peacefully in your bed without losing an ounce of your strength
or mental agility, your family could still be left with a legal
and financial mess to clean up.
Have You
Really Thought About The "What Ifs?"
Planning isn't
an aging issue. It's a grown-up issue. Everyone over the age of
18 should give a little thought to the "what ifs" of
life. Do yourself and the people who love you a favor and at
least get some of the planning basics out of the way. Everyone
will sleep more soundly.
Did you know
that if your spouse is injured on the way to work you might have
trouble getting information from the doctors without a Power of
Attorney or Release of Information form?
Did you know
that if your unmarried child is over the age of 18 you no longer
can easily make decisions in a health emergency without the
right documents?
If you're
providing care, or think you may soon be providing care, it's
especially important that both you and your care
recipient do this legal and financial planning. If you don't
have the right paperwork you might not be able to make the
decisions your loved one would need or want. And, should
something happen to you, neither you nor your care recipient
would have the protection or care you both want.
Now Is The
Time To Get This Done
All of these
documents can make up part of your estate plan. At the very
least you should have a will and a health care power of
attorney. Your legal and financial advisors can help you
determine what else you need.
Follow these
links to learn more about the basic legal and financial
documents you should have:
Last
Will & Testament
Power
of Attorney for Health Care
Financial
Power of Attorney
Living
Will
Medicaid Information
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
More articles on this
subject:
When Your Medical Power of Attorney Isn't Enough
Medicaid 2006: Important Changes
Planning For Assisted Living Costs
Low Income Senior Housing: How It Works and How To Find It
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