The Ultimate New Year Checklist allows you to organize your affairs to protect what matters most—your health, your peace of mind, and your loved ones’ well-being. Life can be unpredictable, especially for those managing complex medical needs or caring for loved ones. That’s why taking steps to get your personal affairs in order is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give to yourself and your family as the year begins.
Even in the face of life’s uncertainties, preparation allows us to approach challenges with confidence and clarity. Imagine experiencing a medical emergency or sudden health event. Would your family know your wishes? Would they have critical health information readily available to make informed decisions on your behalf?
It’s not easy to think about, but proactive planning helps remove the overwhelming burden from our loved ones and ensures you retain control over your healthcare and future. We share some valuable resources for you at the end of our post to make it easier for you to take action and get this checked off the “to do” list.
At Your Nurse Advocate Consulting, we believe in empowering you to take charge of your health and affairs—making the process easier, organized, and even stress-relieving. Here’s why preparing your affairs in the new year is so important and how you can do it effectively. Let’s dive in to see what is included for The Ultimate New Year Checklist!
Why Is Getting Your Affairs in Order Essential?
Life doesn’t always give us the luxury of time to prepare. Emergencies and health events can unfold quickly, leaving families scrambling for answers to questions like: As we speak we have 2 clients in the hospital both with unexpected falls and injuries. You never know what is coming. Unfortunately, the older we get the more at risk we are for these unforeseen health events to occur.
- Where are your critical health records?
- What medications are you currently taking?
- Who should be contacted in an emergency?
- What decisions need to be made, and who has the authority to make them?
One of the most heartfelt gifts you can give your family is the gift of clarity and preparation. Organizing your personal affairs not only brings you peace of mind but also lifts a significant burden from your loved ones during challenges or emergencies.
Taking the time to create a clear plan ensures your family won’t face the uncertainty or stress of making difficult decisions without guidance. They’ll have what they need—whether that’s health information, legal documents, or simply the understanding of your wishes—to move forward with confidence and focus on what truly matters.
By preparing ahead, you show your family how deeply you care, and you give them the lasting gift of reassurance and stability, even when life feels uncertain.
The truth is, one of the greatest fears our loved ones face when caring for us is the possibility of making the wrong decisions on our behalf. By getting your affairs in order, you alleviate this stress and provide them with a vital gift—peace of mind. It ensures that everyone is clear about your needs and preferences, empowering them to act in your best interests without hesitation or doubt.
We did several interviews with adult children of aging parents. Their fears were clear. The thing they feared most was not the physical part of caring for their aging parents or the help around the house they may need, it was the fear of making the wrong decision on their behalf. The fear of making choices that their parents would not want made.
The video shares Linda’s journey with her 5 siblings when the affairs “were NOT in order”
Why Organizing Your Affairs in Order Matters.
Linda sat at her parents’ kitchen table; hands clasped around a lukewarm cup of coffee. Her heart sank as the conversations grew louder and more fractured, her five siblings struggling to agree on just one thing. Their parents, both in their 90s, struggled with some forgetfulness but had never agreed to do any advance planning for their future golden years. They insisted on managing things on their own and would not put any of their wishes in writing.
This is a great reason to start the conversation with your aging loved ones sooner vs. later. We will talk more about that in a minute.
Each child shared their “two cents” and they changed their minds depending on which child they last spoke with. Now, with their health suddenly declining, that very same family was being torn apart.
Three of the six siblings were in healthcare. One was an attorney yet they could not come together to agree on anything. Some siblings wanted in-home care. Others believed a nursing facility was the best option. Others wanted to let them stay home. Hospice was not an option for some of the siblings. Bills were piling up, yet no one knew where to find key financial documents. Hurtful words were exchanged over who should take charge—and why someone else shouldn’t. The six siblings who once laughed together over Sunday dinners were now divided, their bond cracked due to the weight of overwhelming decisions that could have been avoided.
This story is ongoing and continues to not go well. Linda’s mom passed at home on hospice and her dad during the same week fell at home. He broke his hip and had to have surgery. He is in rehab now and the family is now in discussion on where he goes from here. He can’t go home but some of the family would like to see him go home. At the same time siblings state that he can’t stay with them.
Her dad was deemed incompetent to make his own healthcare decisions and Linda did get a healthcare power of attorney document signed before he was too confused to understand. Other siblings did not know this was done and are not happy with decisions being made by the nurse family member. Linda is now the power of attorney for healthcare.
Even as a seasoned nurse patient advocate, and her sister a social worker, Linda could not prevent the backlash of other siblings disagreeing with decisions. If the proper documents were in place by both parents, there would not be a discussion about what to do. The conversation would just be to agree to follow mom and dad’s wishes. The family could have salvaged some of the relationships that may never be the same.
Linda’s story is all too familiar.
The Ultimate New Year Checklist for Getting Your Affairs in Order
Taking control of your healthcare doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are actionable steps to help you get started this year:
1. Update Healthcare Directives
Review or create an advance directive, living will, or healthcare power of attorney. These documents ensure your medical preferences are respected and the right person is authorized to make decisions if you’re unable to speak for yourself.
2. Organize Your Health Records
Ensure all your health records, including medical history, prescriptions, and allergies, are up-to-date and stored in one accessible place. Consider using a digital tool or a physical binder to keep everything organized.
3. Create a Personal Health Summary
Include essential details like your current medications, primary care physician, specialists, and emergency contacts. Sharing this with healthcare providers can save valuable time in emergencies.
4. Review Insurance Information
Ensure your insurance is active and all your details, policies, and paperwork are current. This can help avoid confusion or delays in coverage when it’s needed most.
5. Make Emergency Contact Lists
Update your emergency contact list with accurate phone numbers for your primary caregiver, close family members, and trusted friends.
6. Set Health Goals for the Year
Prioritize routine check-ups, screenings, and preventive care. Work with a Nurse Advocate to create a customized plan for managing your health and setting achievable goals.
7. Rely on Expert Support
Navigating your medical needs without guidance can feel daunting. A Nurse Advocate can provide expertise and compassionate support to help you stay organized, informed, and prepared. We can help you prepare to meet with other necessary professionals such as your financial planner, an estate planning attorney, your doctor, as well as others that may be needed. We can help sort out what is needed and what is NOT needed.
Just over a minute video sharing what exactly is a Nurse Patient Advocate?
The Role of a Nurse Advocate
A Nurse Advocate partners with you to simplify the complexities of healthcare. From helping you structure your health records to working through difficult medical decisions, they ensure you remain informed and empowered every step of the way.
Whether it’s building a comprehensive plan or guiding your family through the decision-making process during tough times, an advocate is a vital resource for navigating your healthcare with confidence. The benefit of using the services of a nurse advocate is that we can look at your current health history and help you make future plans to meet your healthcare needs.
Join Us for Our Free Workshop: “Getting Your Affairs in Order”
We understand that a blog post can only take you so far, and you may need hands-on guidance and tools to get started. That’s why we’re inviting you to our FREE workshop, “Getting Your Affairs in Order,” happening on Wednesday, January 15, at 7 PM Central Time.
At the workshop, you’ll:
- Learn practical steps to organize critical health and emergency information.
- Understand how to prepare healthcare directives and safeguard important decisions.
- Gain access to our exclusive “Peace of Mind Planner”, a comprehensive workbook designed to help you map out your health and emergency plans as well as guiding you though getting your affairs in order.
Spaces are limited, so don’t wait—take the next step and let us help you get started.
By ileezhun Adobe Stock Photos
Empower Your New Year with Preparedness
Taking the time to get your affairs in order is more than a task—it’s a powerful step toward ensuring you and your family experience peace of mind in any circumstance. It’s also a profound way of showing love and responsibility toward those who depend on you. By being prepared, you protect their well-being as much as your own.
Remember, you don’t have to do this alone. With the support of a Nurse Advocate and tools like the Peace of Mind Planner, organizing your affairs becomes a manageable and even rewarding process. Take the first step today and reserve your spot at our workshop. Your loved ones will thank you for it.
Start the new year with clarity, preparation, and peace of mind.
Click here to register for the workshop today
Thanks for taking the time to spend a few minutes here with us. Our goal is to make the golden years less stressful no matter what challenges arise. We also strive to make the caregiving journey for your family an easier road to travel on.
Take care and see you back here soon,
Pam and Linda
Your Nurse Advocates
“Compassionate Care for Aging Adults and Peace of Mind for the Family”
Resources:
Your Nurse Advocate Free Resources
Emergency To Go Folder and Checklist Contents. Be ready for any emergency with the necessary documents all in one place ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Get Your Affairs in Order Free Workshop
Get Your Affairs in Order Free Checklist
National Institute on Aging Resources Getting Your Affairs in Order
