Welcome to Week 3 of Feel Good February. So far, we’ve secured our team with the Guardian Duck and organized our assets with the Treasure Duck. This week, we introduce a guide that handles one of the most personal and emotional aspects of planning: The Comfort Duck.
At Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, we believe that estate planning is an act of love. Nowhere is that more evident than in the documents that provide “comfort”—both to you and to the people who care about you most.
What is the Comfort Duck?
The Comfort Duck is all about your medical wishes and personal care. It ensures that if you are in a medical crisis, your voice is still heard, and your family isn’t left in the dark making agonizing guesses.
To get your Comfort Duck in a row, we focus on:
- Advance Directives (Living Wills): Outlining your specific preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care.
- HIPAA Authorizations: Giving your loved ones the legal right to receive updates from doctors and access your medical records.
- End-of-Life Wishes: Documenting your desires for funeral arrangements or legacy messages to reduce the burden on your grieving family.
The “Feel-Good” Factor
There is a unique kind of stress that comes from “the unknown.” Many people avoid thinking about medical emergencies because they feel scary. However, the Comfort Duck turns that fear into relief.
When you have these documents in place, you feel cared for. You know that your values will be respected, even if you can’t express them in the moment. Perhaps more importantly, you are giving your family the “gift of certainty.” Instead of arguing in a hospital hallway or feeling guilty about a decision, they can move forward with confidence, knowing they are doing exactly what you wanted.
Smoothing the Edges: Your Comfort Checklist
Creating a plan for your care is like finding a piece of sea glass on the shore—it takes something rough and makes it smooth and beautiful. Start with these steps:
- The “What If” Conversation: Talk to your Healthcare Proxy (from Week 1) about your quality-of-life values.
- Identify Your HIPAA Team: Who needs to be “in the loop” during a medical stay? Make sure they are officially authorized.
- Write It Down: Don’t leave your funeral or memorial wishes to chance; documenting them is a final act of kindness for your family.
Ready to feel cared for? Let’s get your Comfort Duck in a row.
#FeelGoodFebruaryDucks #ComfortDuck #AdvanceDirective #PeaceOfMind #FamilyCare #SeaGlassCalm
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