Resource Link

https://vimeo.com/810981959?utm_campaign=5250933&utm_source=affiliate&utm_channel=affiliate&cjevent=97bb23fe2a5011ee839dc06e0a1eba23&clickid=97bb23fe2a5011ee839dc06e0a1eba23&eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=5745a9b6-7a90-4f0d-904b-02f5d18917df

Resource Description

Introduction: This summary covers a webinar about planning ahead for aging and health care choices. Two experts, David Godfrey and Sara Galvan, explain how older adults can make plans that help them stay in control of their lives. The webinar shows how good planning can prevent others from taking over your choices.

Resource Summary

Content Summary: The webinar explains that everyone should start planning by age 18, then update their plans every ten years or when big life changes happen. Planning helps make sure your wishes are followed, not what others think is best. It can also help you avoid having a guardian who makes all your choices. The speakers say it is important to talk openly with family and helpers about what you want. This includes telling them about health care wishes and who should help make choices when sick. Wishes should be written down in documents like living wills and power of attorney forms. For health care choices, you can pick someone called a health care agent to help you. This person should know what kind of care you want or don't want. The webinar explains how to choose this helper and set clear rules about how they can help. There are tools like "Five Wishes" and "Go-Wish" that help you think about and share what matters most to you. For money matters, the speakers suggest setting up automatic bill pay and letting trusted helpers see your accounts without giving them full control. You might also want someone called a representative payee to help manage benefits like Social Security. Writing down your wishes for money matters helps prevent fights later. The webinar talks about getting legal help to make these plans. This help is important if you do not speak English. Some lawyers work for free or low cost to help with this planning. There are also programs where doctors and lawyers work together to help with health and legal issues. The main message is to start planning early and keep plans up to date. When you talk openly with your helpers and write down your wishes, you're more likely to get the care you want as you age.