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Get your affairs in order while you’re still healthy

Let’s get real. The virus is going to kill a lot of people, and now the Queen addressed the issue last Sunday. It is that serious.
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Let’s get real. The virus is going to kill a lot of people, and now the Queen addressed the issue last Sunday. It is that serious.

I speak a lot on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society and my personal area of expertise is care partner spousal support.

One of the issues I address is getting everyone’s affairs in order when they are still healthy. These include having your will, power of attorney and personal directive up to date.

These items are not expensive if correctly handled by a lawyer. We’re talking in the hundreds of dollars, not thousands. Also, the issue of health and death insurance should be addressed while you are still healthy and can acquire it.

One of the areas in Alberta is having your green sleeve up to date and stored on top of your refrigerator for first responders. It contains your goals of care you have discussed with your family and personal physician.

In my case, one of my goals of care is do not resuscitate. If there is no chance of recovery from an illness or accident, I do not want my life to be extended.

If, God forbid, I do get the virus and there are limited ventilators, I have told my daughter that at 73, I have lived a fabulous life and tell them to use the ventilator I might have been given for a young person with children to aid in their recovery.

It is extremely important that you have these discussions with your family while you are still healthy and able to express your wishes.

R. Dean Cowan, Red Deer