What kind of "Legacy" are you leaving your loved ones?

Here at Comfort of Home Healthcare we see families in times of crisis on a daily basis. We are blessed in being able to provide quality caregivers to help families when they need it the most. 

One thing you can count on its that at some point you are going to need help to stay in the comfort of your home for the remaining your years when your health starts to fade.  

These years can be very stressful on a family, especially when the adult children are left to manage mom and dad’s care. One of the single most important step the process of making this an easier transition, is to plan for your own care.  

I ran across Frank the other day and he had some insightful things to add to this very topic. He put some helpful tips together for us in order to better help our clients and our community.

What kind of  "Legacy" are you going to leave your loved ones?

Legacy being defining as: Something inherited from a predecessor, a heritage. When you apply that to planning for care for yourself. Are you relying upon a predecessor to do that planning? Or are you planning on the government to take care of you? It is rare indeed to see a parent [as a predecessor] to plan for their children's long term care. The reality is, it is up to you! 

Mortality is 100%, yet, few of us want to plan for that unavoidable event.  Part of that is the time of our life when we, or a loved one, are faced with a set back to health and require assistance with activities of daily living. It may be for only 30 minutes. For others it may be 10 plus years.

One important step (one of many) in legacy planning is your “Health Care Directive". Who would you select to speak for you in case of a health crisis? In most areas, law requires you to have a signed Directive before receiving care.

Where do you start? How to select a directive?

Here are some things you’re going to need to think about before assigning someone as your health care directive:

1. Meets the legal requirements in your State.

2. Would be willing to speak on your behalf.

3. Would be willing to act on your wishes and separate his/ her feelings from yours.  

4. Lives close by or could travel to be by your side.

5. Knows and understands you well.

6. Is someone you trust with your life. Can you "pull the plug" on a loved one?

7. Will talk with you now about sensitive issues, and will LISTEN to your wishes.

8. Will be available long into the future. 9. Would be able to handle sensitive family conflicts. 10. Can be a strong advocate in the face of an indifferent doctor or institution.

We hope to share some ideas from time to time to slow you down long enough to ponder making a difference in your legacy.

Meanwhile; more information is available through legacy4you@ymail.com or by calling Frank Sindelar at 816-752-2624.

Thanks for "listening".

I hope you found this helpful, and please if you have questions don’t be bashful.

Here are some articles to read if you would like more information.

Four Goals of Legacy Planning – (articles on the financial aspect of legacy planning)

Advance Health Care Directives and Living Wills

LivingWills and Advance Care Directives for Medical Decisions