
A health care proxy can only make decisions if you are unable to communicate them yourself.ħ. Giving permission for your doctor or lawyer to talk with your caregiver is different from naming a health care proxy. If you need help managing your care, you can give your caregiver permission to talk with your doctors, your lawyer, your insurance provider, a credit card company, or your bank. Give permission in advance for a doctor or lawyer to talk with your caregiver as needed. Share your decisions with your loved ones to help avoid any surprises or misunderstandings about your wishes.Ħ. Private health insurance may also cover these discussions.
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Discussing advance care planning with your doctor is free through Medicare during your annual wellness visit. A doctor can help you understand future health decisions you may face and plan the kinds of care or treatment you may want. Talk to your loved ones and a doctor about advance care planning. If you don't have a relative or friend you trust, ask a lawyer to help.ĥ. You don’t need to discuss your personal affairs, but someone you trust should know where to find your papers in case of an emergency. Tell someone you know and trust or a lawyer where to find your important papers. If your papers are in a bank safe deposit box, keep copies in a file at home. For added security, you might consider getting a fireproof and waterproof safe to store your documents. You can set up a file, put everything in a desk or dresser drawer, or list the information and location of papers in a notebook. Put your important papers and copies of legal documents in one place. These documents are part of advance care planning, which involves preparing for future decisions about your medical care and discussing your wishes with your loved ones.ģ. Having a health care proxy helps you plan for situations that cannot be foreseen, such as a serious auto accident or stroke. A proxy can be chosen in addition to or instead of a living will. Your proxy - also known as a representative, surrogate, or agent - should be familiar with your values and wishes.

Depending on your situation, you may choose to prepare different types of legal documents to outline how your estate and finances will be handled in the future. This list provides common steps to consider when getting your affairs in order.ġ. Checklist for getting your affairs in order Share this infographic to spread the word about getting your affairs in order.


Being prepared and having important documents in a single place can give you peace of mind, help ensure your wishes are honored, and ease the burden on your loved ones. Yet, planning for the future can make all the difference in an emergency and at the end-of-life. No one ever plans to be sick or disabled. What other decisions can you prepare for in advance?.Who can help with getting your affairs in order?.Which documents do you need to have in place?.Checklist for getting your affairs in order.
