MAKE SURE YOUR FUTURE PLAN COVERS THESE 5 KEY AREAS

BY ALEXANDRA BAIG, MBA, CFP®

There are five basic, interdependent areas of planning for a secure future for your family member with a disability. Each of the areas are crucial and each one impacts the other. Effective planning incorporates all these areas, starting with qualitative planning as the base, and makes use of experienced professionals where necessary.

QUALITATIVE PLANNING

• LIVING SITUATION: Does your family member want to live alone, with others, or with a romantic partner? If with others, then how many others? Does your family member prefer to live in a big city or a small town? In the city center or in a suburb? Do they prefer a single-family home or townhome, or are they comfortable in a high-rise or large complex? Does the weather or climate matter to their health and mobility? Do they need to be proximate to work, certain activities, family and friends, their faith community, public transportation or healthcare providers? Does the physical property need to be accessible or incorporate inclusive design or assistive technology?
• LIFE PARTNER: Does your family member have a life partner? What type of support would your family member need to maintain that kind of relationship? What does that person’s support circle look like and how does it intersect with your family member’s? Do both people and both families have the same approach to independent living? Will legal marriage impact either partner’s benefits and, if so, what should they do about that? If your family member does not yet have a partner, but wants to, how will s/he find that person?
• WORK: Does your family member work, or do they have potential to work in their next stage of life? Does the person need additional school or training in order to prepare for a job? Where are the types of jobs for which the person would be qualified? How far is the reach of agencies that provide job coaching or other employment support? How many hours per week will your family member be able or want to work? How will they get to and from work?
• LEISURE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: Who are your family members’ friends? How will your family member stay in touch with friends and make new ones? What sort of social and recreational activities does your family member enjoy? How will your family member exercise and stay healthy? Is it important to your family member to maintain participation in a faith community, a sports league, a club or other types of organized activities? Does the person need assistance to sign up for, schedule, and travel to these various activities?
• HEALTHCARE: Does your family have significant or particular healthcare needs? Who will help them to schedule and manage appointments, interpret medical information and make medical decisions? Who will accompany them to therapies and treatments? Who will know about and stay on top of their medications?