WYNNE A. WHITMAN
|
By Wynne A. Whitman, Esq. and Shawn D. Glisson, M.D.
Whether you’re fit as a fiddle, or you just received a scary medical report, there’s no time like the present to consider your wants, wishes, and wills. We’re not reffering to what you want for dinner tonight, what you wish for when you blow out the candles, or will you be invited to your nephew’s wedding. We mean drawing up a will and other legal documents to make sure your wants and wishes are carried out and taking charge of your health care to be sure you receive the best treatment.
|
While women are incredible executives, caregivers, employees, wives, bosses, mothers, friends, and daughters, we have a terrible habit of taking care of everyone else before we care for ourselves. That’s why we encourage you, as you read this article and think about these tough subjects, to start looking after your health and wealth. We wrote Wants, Wishes, and Wills – A Medical and Legal Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family in Sickness and in Health for just this reason. We want our readers to understand the importance of getting organized and taking control of their medical and legal affairs, and doing it now. Not only is it the best thing you can do for yourself, it’s the best thing you can do for your loved ones.
Where to begin? First, think about what you really want. And remember, this is all about what you, and you alone, want. It isn’t about what you think you should do or someone tells you to do. What kind of health care do you want if you’re terminally ill? Who do you want to receive your engagement ring or prized doll collection? Do you want a memorial service or a private burial? Is there a favorite local charity you’d like to provide for when you’re gone? Who’s the best person to make decisions for you if you’re unable? And what should happen to the business you built from the ground up?
Next, consult an attorney to assist you in preparing a Durable Power of Attorney (which allows a specified person to make all financial decisions on your behalf), a Living Will or Advance Directive for Health Care (which outlines your wishes at the end of life, for example if you want to be kept on life support if you’re in a terminal condition), a Health Care Proxy Directive (which appoints an individual to make health care decisions for you in the event of the unthinkable), and a testamentary document (a Last Will and Testament and/or Revocable Living Trust that outlines who receives your assets on your death). Tell your attorney all of your thoughts and concerns. Problems cannot be resolved unless problems are identified. Talk to corporate counsel about business succession planning. Is there a key employee who should have a chance to buy the business? Or do you want your kids to have a chance to take the reins?
Decide who you wish to act on your behalf. Pick the person who can make the decisions you would have made if you were able. You don’t need to select your second cousin once removed to make your medical decisions just because he’s the only doctor in the family. You want to appoint the individual who can make sound, reasoned judgments on your behalf. Again, don’t worry about offending one family member by selecting someone else. Instead, pick the person you want. Last but not least, talk to your loved ones. Tell them your wants, wishes, and wills and keep telling them. They need to hear it from you – not a piece of paper.
Outline all of your health care providers and their contact information. Make sure this information, along with your accurate medical history, allergy list, and current medications, are shared with all of your providers. Keep the list up to date. Find out which hospitals your doctors can visit, and which ones they can’t. When you go for tests, make a note of both the date and the testing facility. We have countless stories of the time wasted during a medical emergency trying to locate important test results because the patient can’t remember where she was tested. At every physician’s appointment, confirm that any test results have been received and are on your chart for your doctor’s review. Taking these proactive steps ensures the little time you have with your provider is spent answering your questions and concerns and not running all over the office looking for important information. If you suffer from particular illnesses, learn what your options are. Understand the benefits of clinical trials. Learn the difference between medical treatment and alternative therapies. Determine what provider is best for you given your particular medical situation.
We can’t emphasize enough how important planning is. As business women, we know you understand it, too. Now is the time to apply your quality business planning to your life and health.
Wynne A. Whitman, Esq. and Shawn D. Glisson, M.D. are the authors of Wants, Wishes, and Wills: A Medical and Legal Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family in Sickness and in Health (Financial Times Press, May 2007). For more information about this new and informative book, log onto www.wantswishesandwills.com. Ms. Whitman and Dr. Glisson may also be reached at wantswisheswills@aol.com.
|
