When considering the future for your loved one who lives with a developmental or physical disability, spend some time thinking through these critical questions:
- When I am gone, who will do what I do for my loved one?
- Where will my loved one live?
- Who will handle his/her money?
- Who will be trustee of my special needs trust? Who will serve if that person cannot?
- Who will know my loved one well enough to advise the trustee of his or her needs?
- Who will be my loved one’s guardian, if needed? Who will serve if that person cannot?
- Who will make sure that my loved one is receiving good health care?
- Who will talk to medical professionals about his/her health if he/she cannot?
- Who will visit regularly and keep faraway family members informed about his/her life?
- Who will visit if he or she is hospitalized?
- Who will make sure that his/her preferences are taken into account when decisions arebeing made about his or her life?
- Who will make sure that caregivers know my wishes and hopes for him/her?
- Who will celebrate his/her birthday and holidays?
- Who will make sure that he/she is able to practice his or her religion?
- Who will make sure that my loved one has social and recreational opportunities?