What about planning for aging? To plan for aging, most people have a financial plan on how they will pay their bills. Thats an important start. In addition, each older adult should also put together what we call an Aging Preparedness Kit. Were not talking about batteries or candles. Were talking about tools that can help a person (even an unlucky one) have better control of the future, and obtain results they want.
Staying in Charge
Making Final Arrangements
When family members or close friends die, those experiencing the greatest sense of loss are often the ones who must make funeral and burial arrangements. If decedents not only planned ahead, but also communicated their final wishes to those who care, resulting tasks may be accomplished more efficiently, and the emotional burden lessened.
California’s Donate Life Registry
Question: Why does grandma’s driver’s license include a pink donor’s dot?
Answer: People filling out the California Department of Motor Vehicles form to renew a driver’s license or identification card must answer this question: Do you wish to register to be an organ and tissue donor? Those who check YES will automatically become enrolled in the Donate Life California Registry, and a pink donor dot will appear on their new driver’s licenses or ID cards.
Seniors Beware: Ask First!
Many of us need legal, financial, retirement, accounting, estate, long-term care or similar planning services. We seek help from planning advisors possessing the necessary training. Many planning advisors are well-qualified, capable, and make fair disclosure of pertinent information to their clients. Unfortunately, unqualified or dishonest individuals masquerade as expert planning advisors. Many of them provide sub-standard services or have hidden financial motives in providing their “planning services.”
Electronically Transferred Medical Records
Because of technological advancements, medical information and records are no longer found solely in the treating doctor’s office, but are often transferred electronically to other treatment providers, insurance companies, law enforcement agencies and government programs. As a result, should incorrect information be included in a specific patient’s file, the consequences may be much more far reaching than ever before.
In Case of Emergency, Who Will Speak for You?
If you have a medical emergency and become incapacitated or unable to speak for yourself, you will want to make sure that someone else can speak for you. Advance directives are the legal documents that identify the person or persons you have chosen to speak for you should you become incapacitated.
Who Will Manage My Finances?
Hopefully, you’ll always be able to handle your own assets and finances. If, however, you became incapacitated, how would your assets and finances be managed? What about your home? Your IRA? Your bank accounts? Depositing your checks? Arranging and paying for home care? Paying your bills? Filing and paying your taxes?
Expressing Your Wishes About Organ and Tissue Donation
At your death, you may donate all or part of your body for medical research or use by others. Your entire body may be donated. Or particular organs and tissues may be donated, including heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, liver, intestine, bone marrow, corneas and skin.