THE LIST

 

The last two Tuesdays I have taken our pastor to the hospital to have procedures done.  No big deal.  I had those Tuesdays free and I have no problem waiting.   Hospitals don’t bother me.  I can handle the smells and ….  Let’s just say, I have sat through operations for our daughter and grandkids.  I knew I would get along just fine.

 

When I picked up Pastor Larry the first time, he did something that surprised me.  When he got in the car and we were ready to go, he handed me a list.  Then he said, “If I don’t make it, start at the top and make these four calls.”  What….  Don’t make it….  Call these people.  I realized the easy part of that day was driving and waiting.  The list in my pocket was very heavy.  Heavy with responsibility.

 

I am an organized person and when I was in the hospital with our daughter, I had her list of medications, previous surgeries, how she responds to anesthesia, and a list of phone numbers.  I was prepared.  When the surgeries were for grandkids, I was support and their mother had all those lists.

 

THE LIST

 

The list Pastor Larry handed me made me think about lists and documents we all need.  We need to be prepared.  Our loved ones need to be prepared.  How do we do that?  What do we need?

 

NOTE:  The everyone and we means exactly that.  These items are a must for each of us and are not age related.  They are not only for old people.  Also, make sure these documents are where they can be found and that the people involved have copies.  If you travel, be sure to have your medical directive and healthcare power of attorney with you. 

 

WILL:  Everyone needs a will.  EVERYONE.  You might think you don’t have enough money or property to need a will.  A question for all parents of young children:  Do you know where your children will be placed if both parents die?  You might think they will go to your parents or a sibling or your best friend has agreed to welcome them into their home.  That does not always happen.  You need this in a will.  A will also makes it possible to give a certain item to a certain person and directs where all the stuff you have accumulated will go.

 

MEDICAL DIRECTIVE AND HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY:  (Check to see if these can be combined.)  Please know I am not trying to be morbid, but you MUST have a medical directive.  This will make sure your wishes on end of life decisions are written out.  You need to name people who can make decisions when/if you are unable to make them.  You need to make it easier if/when hard decisions need to be made.

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY:  “But I don’t want to give someone the power to use my money!  They could take all my money or sell my home.”  This is often what people say or think.  Like it or not, someone needs to be able to take care of your day to day business when you are not able.  Someone needs to be able to pay your bills.  This person is usually your spouse, a parent, a child, or a sibling.  If there is no family member to assume this responsibility, it can be a very good friend or an attorney. 

 

DOCUMENTS:  Where is mom’s birth certificate?  Where is dad’s social security card?  Did my friend have funeral arrangements made?  Where do I start?  Being an administrator, guardian or the person who finds themselves with a big responsibility needs to know where to find your documents.  Bottom line:  Someone needs to know where to find your legal documents. 

 

https://www.fdic.gov/news/events/affordable/hcachecklist.pdf is a good link for documents that might be needed.

 

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT legal advice but these are things EVERYONE needs to do and in no way is this a complete list.

 

THE END