A Guide for Elders: Planning That Protects You and Your Assets, Chapter 11

WHAT’S NEXT?

This Guide has covered many important issues for older citizens of Massachusetts and their families and loved ones. It should be a good starting point to help you to think about your estate, your rights, and your future. If it has made you think about a particular subject of importance to you, and, more important, if you act on that subject, then we have accomplished what we set out to do.

Our intent in creating this Guide has been to inform elders of what resources are available to them, and of how the choices they make can make them feel more confident about the future. We hope that it will make you better aware of how the system works, and who can help. Then, you or any elder can turn to your own unique situation and get assistance in making and carrying out your own decisions, dealing with topics like health care, wills, consumer rights, nursing home care, or any of the other subjects discussed in the Guide.

Reading this Guide is only the start. You should act so as to assure yourself that, whatever the future holds, you have done all you can to protect yourself and that decisions which affect your life are decisions that you have made. Talk it over with family members or others who have proven to be your trusted friends, and make your plans. And if a problem arises, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

We are not recommending that you become paranoid, just prudent. Even with all the problems we read about, it is still a great world out there, so relax and enjoy it.

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