What to do and When

As we (or our parents) get older, the best gift we can give the family is clarity. Here’s a simple, no-stress roadmap for what to do, when to do it, and when to bring in an estate planning/elder law attorney.

Start Now (Any Age)

• Talk about wishes: medical care preferences, housing, who should help with finances.
• Make a “Who to Call” list: doctors, pharmacy, insurance, financial advisor, attorney, key family.
• Create an “Emergency Folder”: ID, advance directive/healthcare surrogate, HIPAA release, durable financial power of attorney, will/trust, medication list, beneficiary designations, and a recent bank/insurance statement (account numbers hidden).

📝 Friendly note: Keep a copy at home and let one trusted person know where it is.

 Ages 55–65: Set the Foundation

• Meet an estate planning attorney (Us!) to set up (or review) your will/trust, durable powers of attorney, and healthcare documents.
• Consider a revocable living trust to simplify later life transitions and avoid court delays.
• Review home title and beneficiary designations to match your plan.
• Long-term care planning: understand how you’d pay for help at home or in a community (savings, insurance, VA benefits, Medicaid planning strategies).
• Health & home baseline: safety check for the house (lighting, rugs, grab bars), baseline cognitive and hearing tests.

Ages 65–70: Tune-Up Time

• Medicare decisions at 65 (Parts A, B, D, and whether a supplemental/Advantage plan fits).
• Name your “Care Team”: primary and backup agents for finances and healthcare; give them copies of documents.
• Start the “what if I need help?” plan: preferred communities near family/friends, budget ranges, waitlists you may want to join early.