The American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization has recently produced a helpful guide in regard to putting your affairs in order in the event you or a loved one are seriously ill.  This guide can be found at www.caringinfo.org.

The guide, entitled “Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill”* provides helpful information on seven steps to consider if you or a loved face serious illness or injury.  The seven steps discussed in detail in the guide are as follows:

1. Plan how to pay for the health care you need
2. Make a plan to manage your health and personal decisions
3. Make a plan to manage your money and property
4. Plan for the care of dependents
5. Know your rights as a patient
6. Know your rights as an employee
7. Get your legal documents in order

Detailed information follows each step in the guide, referred to as “Decision and Action Steps” and helpful information such as website addresses are also provided that relate to each step. 

While not every step will apply to each individual’s needs, the guide does provide information that in all likelihood will effect you or someone you know. 

*Copyrighted by The American Bar Association and National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, 2009.