Everyone should have an advance directive, says Adriane Berg, founder of Generation Bold and author of Bottom Line’s Aging for Beginners blog. An advance directive charts the course of action to be taken in the event of an illness or a medical crisis. It also identifies who is going to make decisions for you in such a situation. The American Bar Association has an easy-to-use guide known as Five Wishes, which walks you through the process of setting up a personal advance directive that meets your wants and needs. Once you have set up an advance directive, make copies for your attorney, fiduciary and yourself (taking care to note which copy is the up-to-date original). Also consider giving a copy to your personal physician. Set up this advance directive while you are in good health, and be sure to revisit and revise it as you age.

For more great tips from Adriane Berg, check out her Bottom Line blog “Aging for Beginners,” visit her website https://adrianeberg.me, or purchase her most recent book How Not to Go Broke at 102.

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