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Legal & Care Planning

Advance care planning and medical decisions

Advance care planning means writing down the care you would want if a serious illness or injury left you unable to speak for yourself. It also means choosing the person who would speak for you. Doctors call that person a health care agent. These papers are sometimes called advance directives, and every state has its own forms and rules.

The guides in this category walk through each step: picking an agent and a backup, talking about your values before you talk about machines, and filling in the forms your state uses. You will also find how to share copies with your agent, your doctor, and your family, and when to update the papers after a big life change. Planning now means the person who speaks for you never has to guess.

Guides in this category

Start here: Advance Directives: What They Are and How to Get Started.

Advance Directives: What They Are and How to Get StartedWhat an advance directive is, the two main forms it takes, and the steps to fill one out, sign it the way your state asks, and share it so your care team can find it.Choosing a Health Care Agent and Discussing Your WishesHow to pick a health care agent, name a backup, and talk through your wishes so the person who speaks for you does not have to guess.

Continue on Care and Living Guide

Hospice care — Learn what hospice covers and how to choose a hospice provider.

Free local help

Three national programs connect you to help in your own community, at no cost:

Eldercare LocatorFind your local Area Agency on Aging and aging services near you.BenefitsCheckUpA benefits check from the National Council on Aging.State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)Free, unbiased help with Medicare questions from trained local counselors.

More in Legal & Care Planning

Powers of attorney and legal protectionChoose someone you trust to handle money and legal matters, with the right papers in place.Wills, estates, and important documentsGather the papers your family will need: wills, titles, policies, and account records.End-of-life wishes and support after a deathWishes for the end of life, funeral costs in the open, and support after a death.

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