It's a great time to make a plan for safe and healthy aging Caregivers Corner

I'm not a caregiver. My husband and I have been married for over 40 years and are both still quite healthy and independent. But we don't always see eye-to-eye on planning for the future; he would rather not think about what could go wrong but I want to be prepared for changes that might occur in our health and other ways. I know you have shared a lot of information to help caregivers be prepared for future needs. What should folks like my husband and I do to prepare?

Dear Reader,

As we prepare to enter a new year, it's a great time to make a healthy and safe plan for aging. When making your plan, here are some things to think about.

It's not about having just one conversation. Before a crisis occurs, it's about having multiple conversations concerning financial, health and other future goals and wishes. You and your husband need to have a clear understanding regarding how you feel about these issues and you also need to let your adult children or other family members who may be involved in caring for you know. Keep in mind that there is a lot of material to cover so multiple conversations may need to occur allowing everyone to have a good understanding of your financial plans, your health care wishes, and how you hope to live out the rest of your life. Remember that your wishes and your husband's wishes may not be the same. Listen and respect each other's points of view!

Before the conversation, you should take some time to complete wills, legal, financial, and health directive paperwork. Speak with an elder care attorney for wills and financial power of attorney needs. A financial power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to give another person the right to manage your financial matters if you are unable to do so.

Advance medical directives can guide your medical treatment to your wishes if you are unable to communicate. These directives also let you name someone to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to do so. When filling out your advance medical directive, don't hesitate to reach out to your physician if you need help understanding the language of the form. Make sure the person you name as your health care proxy or agent is aware of your wishes and has a copy of your advance directive.

Put together a file with your important paperwork and let your family know where they can find it. (A safety deposit box may not be a good idea, especially if an emergency occurs during non-banking hours!) The file should include, at a minimum, the following information:

Social Security and Medicare information

Most recent signed will/trust, living will/advance health care directive

Important medical information to include medications

Birth certificates, marriage (or divorce) information, military discharge papers, citizenship paperwork (if applicable)

Names of banks with account numbers

Latest tax returns

Insurance information with policy numbers

Contact names and phone numbers for physicians, lawyers, and financial advisors

Sources of income and assets

Liabilities such as mortgages, credit cards debts and property taxes

Deeds of trust for homes, car titles and registration information

Location of safe deposit boxes and key

Cemetery plot/funeral instructions

Utilities (gas/electric, water, cable, phone) account information

Passwords for any on-line banking or other accounts

The Department of Aging and Disabilities has a resource (Vital Records folder) that helps you organize all the important information your family may need in an emergency. To obtain a folder, you can email or call me ([email protected]/aging; 410-222-4339) with your name and complete address.

Planning ahead for long-term care allows you to gather information, compare options and make choices. Long term care might include moving from your home to another family member's home or moving to a long term care facility. It can also include staying in your home with additional support coming in to help. If you desire to stay in your own home or move in with a family member, plan for home modifications that might be needed (ramps, wheelchair accessibility, walk-in showers). Whichever option seems right to you, plan for the cost.

Thinking about death is not easy but it, too, is a part of planning for aging. Take time to think about how you would like the end of life to be and share your wishes with your family. Dying is more than a medical event; it includes the spiritual and emotional aspects of ourselves that allow us dignity and peace when the time comes. If you have specific ideas regarding your funeral or memorial, write them down and share with your loved ones.

While you are planning for your later years, try to take some time to reflect on your life and find a way to share your memories with current and future family members. Create a scrapbook, write a journal or letter, write names, dates and other information on the back of photos. Have a family member video you while you share memories and family stories. What a great gift to give the future generation!

Caption: As we prepare to enter a new year, it's a great time to make a healthy and safe plan for aging. When making your plan, here are some things to think about. Ron Sutherland