This was written by a friend SP who has been in the medical field for years.
Having worked with critically ill and dying people for over 20 years as a social worker I can tell you that “getting your affairs in order” is not something people generally like to talk about or do. But it is SO IMPORTANT.
You may very well survive through this pandemic BUT you may get sick and need others to step in and help manage decisions or your financial affairs. Should you become terminally ill there may not be the time or resources to get any of it done. So do the basics; (p.s. I am not a lawyer so this is NOT legal advice)
1. Establish a healthcare surrogate and financial power of attorney by hiring a lawyer or using some forms you can get online. Google your states “Advance Healthcare Directive” and “Financial Power or Attorney” forms and complete them as soon as possible. Do your due diligence to find reliable sources of information. Consult any legal professionals you know or talk to others you trust about how they got their documents done.
2. Research “Holographic Wills” or “handwritten wills” and whether they are legal in your state. Look into how to write one if you decide to go that way. Or hire a lawyer to draft a “Last Will and Testament” as soon as possible.
3. Hire an Estate Planning Attorney if you have the resources to do so as they are the best people to walk you through the process of many legal issues that can arise. Especially with complex personal and financial matters.
4. Consider what you own and maybe even take the time to make a list of the important things. And write down who you want to leave specific items to. This can be helpful for your Healthcare Surrogate or loved ones to have access to.
5. Share with someone you trust critical passwords for your phone, computer, bank accounts….whatever you want them to have access to if you are very ill and cannot manage these things yourself.
6. Make a list of contacts you rely on so others have phone numbers if needed such as primary care doctor, specialists doctors, veterinarian, lawyer, pharmacy, etc.
7. Make a list of your medications with specific information about what you take and when. And indicate where they are located.
7. Be sure to let someone you trust know where all your important documents are located. And how to access them if they are locked and in a secure place.
8. Consider writing notes or letters to people you love telling them anything you want to say…maybe haven’t said….or want to say again. Or perhaps call or text someone now.
9. Think about how you want to spend your time. Your energy now. We always assume we will have more. But we now know that this is not always the case. Become aware of your priorities.
10. Focus on what is most important for you to do or be now. Get really clear about this and spend some time on whatever that is each day.
These are lessons I have learned watching literally thousands of people live through serious illness and many who have died in my work. And it is certainly not an exhaustive list. But it is a good start.
If in the end everything turns out to be fine, great! You will have done some important work that will serve you and those you love. And if it turns out you get sick you will be comforted by knowing that you have completed the work of getting ready and there will be less chaos and strain on an already difficult situation.
Take advantage of this time and place. Be well, pay attention and move forward knowing you have attended to the important things
