Planning for the Future
Even though it’s hard, it’s very important to think about what might happen in the future.
You and the person you’re caring for need to talk about how to get ready.
For example, if you have to talk to a doctor or a bank on behalf of the person you are caring for, you will need written permission to speak for them and get or give information. You also need to find out where they keep important papers. Are papers at home? In a safe? Somewhere else?
You (and maybe other family members) will need to talk with the person you’re taking care of about some serious topics. These topics can be uncomfortable, and the person you are caring for may not want to talk about them. Here are some questions to ask:
- Where does he or she want to live if she needs more care than you can provide at home?
- What medical care does he or she want? What medical care does he or she NOT want?
- What money plans has he or she already made, or want to make now?
- Where are important papers, like a birth certificate, military records, medical records, bank account information, car title, house papers, power of attorney, and a will?
- Who does he or she want to make health and money decisions for them?
You might be able to talk about these things with the person alone. Or you might need help from a doctor, a lawyer who works with older adults, or a care manager to understand what they want.
You and your family need to work as a team. This helps prevent problems later, like family arguments or expensive legal fights.
Below are four basic legal papers everyone should have. If these papers haven’t been completed yet, get them done soon. The person in your care must sign these papers while they can still make clear decisions on their own.
The four basic papers are:
Durable Power of Attorney: This paper names someone to make money and other decisions for the person if they become unable to do it themselves. This stays true even if the person becomes very sick or confused. The person chosen must follow the wishes of the person who signed the paper.
Last Will (or Testament): This paper shows what the person wants done with their things after they die. It names the people who will get their belongings. It also names someone called the Executor, who makes sure the person’s wishes are carried out.
Living Will This is a written paper that says what treatments a person wants (or doesn’t want) to keep them alive, for times when they can’t tell doctors themselves.
Power of Attorney for Health Care: This paper lets someone else make health care decisions for the person. That someone must follow the wishes of the person who signed the paper.
If you can no longer provide care at home: