Chronic illness is much more common than most people anticipate. There’s a good chance that it has already touched your life in some way. If your loved one is living with some type of chronic disease like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or multiple sclerosis, you already should be aware of the fact that your estate planning should reflect these additional challenges.
According to reports, over 130 million Americans are already living with chronic illness, and that number will increase to 157 million by 2020. A quarter of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have already had their lives affected by chronic illness, so the impact of chronic disease is significant.
Estate planning documents for those who have chronic illness are imperative. If your loved one is already living with at least one chronic illness, you will the need the same estate planning documents that most people use as the cornerstone of their estate plan.
Having a partnership with an experienced estate planning attorney is important, because if the chronic illness has already advanced significantly, it could impede the loved one’s ability to understand and sign these legal documents.
Some of the most common estate planning documents important for someone with a chronic illness include, HIPAA releases, a living will, a health care proxy, an order for life sustaining treatment and a financial power of attorney. Schedule a consultation with an estate planning attorney today to learn more.