As you begin feeling the wear and tear on your body, concerns as to what the future holds may creep up. You want to make sure you maintain your own independence and have things done your way.
The best thing you can do for yourself AND for your family – is to make your intentions and wishes known today, and provide your loved ones with the tools and means to make those happen with as much ease as possible. That way, when the time comes, those who will be making decisions for you will be the people that YOU chose for each decision, and they will be following the guidelines that YOU created for them.
Even when you are 100% certain that your family only has your best interests in mind, they may not always be sure what decision you would like them to make. Making your wishes known and clear in advance, will help them help you in the best way possible, while minimizing the risk of tension and conflict in your family.
There are various legal tools to help you, including an Enduring Power of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives, a notarized Power of Attorney, and other options.