Communication is Key
/It is never easy to watch a loved one go through a period of serious illness, and it’s even more difficult to lose someone so special when they pass away. Through both personal and professional experiences this year, I’ve faced both unfortunate situations. It is a part of life, but not one any of us ever look forward to. However, you can plan for these things and make the experience at least a little bit easier on your caregiver and loved ones by making sure they have the following information and documents:
• Healthcare Representation and Living Will (Indiana now combines this into one document, the Healthcare Advance Directive): Make sure the appropriate person (or people) in your life has a power of attorney to help you make medical decisions. Let that person know your wishes regarding lifesaving measures like CPR and whether you want to be kept alive on artificial food and hydration.
• Pre-existing Medical Conditions and Medications: Don’t keep your loved ones in the dark about your medical situation. They may need to know this information to share with doctors when you are unable to. If you don’t have someone close to you to share this information with, then write these things down and keep a list of medications in your wallet for an easy reference.
• Financial Information: Be sure your spouse or the attorney-in-fact named in your durable power of attorney knows how your bills are paid and how to get into your email and bank accounts. If you become incapacitated, someone else needs to keep your life going. Make it easier for them to figure out.
• Organ Donation: Do you want to be an organ donor?Indicate your choice on your driver’s license and let your loved ones know your wishes.
• Funeral Arrangements: Do you want your family to have a celebration to remember you or a more traditional funeral?They won’t know unless you tell them, so don’t be afraid to have this conversation.
You may feel like you’re sharing too much but think about all the things loved ones will need to know if you’re no longer here. Remember to keep your lines of communication open.
- Margaret Gooley, CFP®, CDFA®, Worley Erhart-Graves Financial Advisors
