Having only recently gained 20/20 vision after being born severely nearsighted, Joe Donohue, managing member of Donohue, O'Connell and Riley, understands the value of clarity. For him, it's a gift. The ability to see clearly is something he's been working toward his entire life, both personally and professionally. 

The ability to foresee what lies ahead as a person grows old gives him or her peace of mind. When it comes to preparing for the late-in-life trials and tribulations, having a clear plan is truly a gift to everyone involved. Statistically, most people will not die from a tragic, unexpected death, but instead the slow, degenerative nature of aging. Many of their lives will end in an institution with someone taking care of them.

Will You Be Prepared?

The sad truth is that many people are not prepared. They do not take the time to think ahead earlier in life when it matters most. Far too many people have not established who, if anyone, will be supporting them throughout the aging process, leaving them isolated and vulnerable.

Donohue remembers a striking example of an elderly husband and wife who died within a short time of each other. They were a symbiotic couple. She was hard of hearing, and his vision was weak; when he would drive, she would tell him when to turn. They did everything together but had nobody around to support them as they got older – and they had no plan in place. One day, the husband tripped and fell on the wife as they ascended the stairs. They both suffered head trauma, ended up in a nursing home, and died within six months of each other. What was supposed to be a simple outing turned tragic because they lacked a support network. They had nobody around to help them with simple chores and had made no arrangements for themselves as they aged.

Many older people need a lot of assistance to stay independent. They need someone to help keep up with the various bills that will continue to come no matter their ability to manage them. Too often, a medical emergency happens at night, and the elderly patient has to leave the house unexpectedly. Without a plan in place, the house is left unoccupied, which can lead to all kinds of added woes down the road. It's upsetting enough to deal with the trauma of a hospital visit but to have to deal with the further stresses of a burst pipe or a break-in only adds insult to injury.

Our estate, tax and elder law practice ensures that our clients have the appropriate documents in place, so there's always someone advocating for them. Our "Support Circle" strategy makes sure there will always be someone else who's aware of the "big picture." With over 100 combined years in practice, we have seen almost every scenario; our value to you is the foresight we've acquired. We'll help you gather all the necessary information, allowing us to provide you with a clear and bright path forward.

Visit our website or call Donohue, O'Connell & Riley at 844-50-TRUST (844-508-7878).

The start of a New Year is a great time to plan ahead to save yourself and your loved ones time, money and stress. This easy-to-use checklist serves as a comprehensive guide for seniors, their families and caregivers as they consider all the legal, financial, personal and practical steps to proper advanced planning. We invite you to download and share this worksheet with anyone looking for an opportunity to live life to the fullest in the retirement years and prepare for the road ahead. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As you set goals and resolutions for 2019, organizing your affairs for peace of mind should be at the top of the priority list. Many clients and their families feel overwhelmed when they try to navigate the financial and emotional complexities of aging. We hope this Document Checklist gives you a solid foundation of helpful documents you’ll need to get your affairs in order, in the event of an unexpected health crisis. Please feel free to download and share with your family, friends and trusted advisors.