‘Grab & Go’ binder relieves stress, burden during health crisis
The term “Grab & Go” represents convenience, ease and portability. It’s something you can pick up without much thought on your way out the door.
“We have taken that concept and applied it to crisis management for older adults and their families,” said Annalee Kruger, founder and president of Care Right. “With a Grab & Go binder, all of your work is done in advance so everything you need is right there at your fingertips.”
The Grab & Go binders, also called Peace of Mind planners, are filled with a variety of important documents, including an individual’s will, banking information, insurance policies and medical directives. This also is critical information for family members as well as a power of attorney charged with making health care and financial decisions.
“Although we all want to age in place gracefully, our health can turn on a dime,” said Megan Marquardt, CFP, CTFA, senior vice president for wealth services at The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company. “A stroke, heart attack, fall or car accident can change your life in an instant. No one wants to burden their spouse or children in a time of crisis, but a lack of planning can add stress to what’s already an incredibly emotional period.”
The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company provides individualized wealth management through life’s transitions and extends its planning services beyond financial elements to include life planning.
Meanwhile, Bonita Springs-based Care Right is a concierge of senior care planning that helps families navigate the complexities associated with the aging process, including the management of crisis situations, development of a proactive aging plan and support for struggling caregivers. Kruger works with older adults, caregivers and their families to proactively plan, which saves time, money and stress during the aging process.
In many cases, the lack of planning creates a financial burden on family members and caregivers who often are forced to make major decisions – and pay major expenses – when a loved one is hospitalized or needs 24/7 care. That, in turn, strains relationships at a time when family members should be coming together, not falling apart.
“When there is a crisis, family members have no idea where their spouse, mother or father has bank accounts, how utility bills are paid each month, who they use as a financial advisor, if they have long-term care insurance or VA benefits, or even if there is a living will,” Kruger said. “You never know when a medical crisis will happen, and families can be caught off guard. With a Grab & Go binder, you are still in control, but your family will be able to spend time at your hospital bedside and advocating on your behalf rather than scrambling to find paperwork.”
Checklist: Grab & Go Binder
Living will
Health directives
Power of attorney
Titles
Deeds
Business Succession Plan
Location of spare house and car keys
Medical records
Organ donor card
Funeral and burial arrangements
Banking account numbers
Location of safe deposit box
Tax records
Credit card account numbers
Investment portfolio details
Usernames and passwords for online accounts
Health and life insurance policies
Utility company information
Jeffrey Muddell, CFP, is office president and wealth services advisor for The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: ‘Grab & Go’ binder relieves stress, burden during health crisis
