Hasta La Ideas

Today we welcome Jeri Dansky to our Unclutterer content team. She’ll have a weekly post full of uncluttering and organizing advice that is guided by her many successful years as a professional organizer.

What would happen if you became seriously ill and a family member or friend had to make sure you and your household were properly taken care of?

Of course, it’s wise to have a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care or the equivalents. (The specific documents you need will depend on where you live.) You’ll also want a financial power of attorney or whatever legal document provides a similar ability to manage your money on your behalf. Consider consulting with an estate attorney to make sure you’re prepared in this regard.

Even with these legal documents in place, you still have some preparation to do. Think of all the things someone would need to know in order to run your life on your behalf. Here are just a few:

1. What medicines are you taking? Do you have any allergies? What immunizations have you had? What are the major events in your medical history: surgeries, etc.?
2. If you have pets, what do they get fed, and when? Are they taking any medications? If so, where are those medications and how do they get taken?
3. What’s the password to pick up your voice mail messages? How would someone check your email?
4. Where is your calendar — and if it’s online, how does it get accessed? Are there any standing appointments that should be cancelled?
5. Where is your address book — and again, how does it get accessed if it’s online? Who should be notified if there’s a serious problem?
6. Do you have a post office box where mail should be checked? Where’s the key for the box?
7. What regular bills get paid automatically, and which ones need to get paid manually? Will someone need access to your online bill paying systems? Will someone need the PIN for your ATM card?
8. Is there a home alarm system? If so, how does it work?
9. Are there any quirks about your home that someone should know about? For example, in my home, the switch for the garbage disposal is hard to find.

It may seem, at first, that pulling this information together only matters if you’re single — but actually, everyone could benefit by gathering this information and sharing it with trusted people. Sometimes, one spouse or life partner doesn’t know everything the other one does. And, there are scenarios where both spouses or partners would need help at the same time.

It’s natural to avoid thinking about the chance of anything bad happening to us — but it’s a real kindness to your friends and family to take the time to pull this information together, just in case it’s needed. I remember being in the emergency room with my mom, filling out the hospital admission forms and trying desperately to remember if it was her left hip or her right that got replaced some years ago. When Mom had surgery and was away from home for weeks, I was glad I knew all the little things to do, such as canceling her weekly appointment at the beauty salon. While it wouldn’t have been a tragedy if I didn’t cancel that appointment, it was a nice courtesy. It also comforted my mom to know I’d be taking care of such things for her.

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