Think about the following questions for yourself or your family member and use this tool as a starting point for future planning. Once you have identified issues about which you need more information, use the search tool at the top of this page to learn more about topics of interest.

What are your goals for the future?

• Do I want to stay in my own home?
• Do I want to leave an inheritance?
• Do I want to preserve my spouse's assets?
• Do I want to take care of my own needs without help from other family members or government programs?
• Do I expect family members to help with my care?
• If I need help making decisions, who can I count on?
• Family members?
• Attorney?
• Accountant or Tax Counselor?
• Financial Advisor or Estate Planner?
• Bank or Trust Officer?
• Health Professionals?
• Executor of My Estate?
• Are there community, state, or national resources to assist me with planning?

Think About Your Family

• Do I expect family members to assist when I have long-term care needs?
• Does my family or support team have the resources it needs to take care of my needs?
• Have I talked with my family or support team to determine the amount and type of support they are willing to provide?
• What other resources will they require to take care of my needs?

Think About Your Health

• Am I living a healthy lifestyle?
• Do I know and follow the advice of my support team of health-care practitioners?
• Do I know and follow the nutrition guidelines for my age group and activity level?
• If not, what prevents me from doing this?
• Am I physically active every day?
• Are there health behaviors that I could change to improve my health?
• Do I regularly interact with my support circle of family and friends?
• Do I have a plan to help me react quickly to an emergency?
• Whom can I turn to if I am the victim of abuse or suspect abuse or neglect of a child or dependent adult?

Think About Legal Issues

• What should I consider about substitute decision making and when should I make these plans?
• When my child with a disability turns 17?
• Before I retire?
• Before I become incapacitated?
• Have I talked with my support team about decisions addressed in a living will?
• Should I establish special needs trusts and other trusts for family members in my legal will?
• How will these legal decisions affect my family if I become incapacitated or when I am gone?
• Who can help me with legal concerns?
• What should I consider when hiring a lawyer?

Think About Your Finances

• Where do I turn if I cannot keep up with health-care costs?
• How do I pay for housing and other basic needs on a reduced income or when I run out of savings?
• How can I ensure my children will be cared for after I am gone?
• Will I be able to afford care for my loved one or myself?
• Do I have enough insurance?
• What qualifies me for resources or programs that help me learn new work skills?

Think About Community Supports

• What help does my community offer so I can stay in my own home?
• What if my family member needs more help than I can provide?
• What if I cannot drive and need transportation?
• What supports are available to help me live independent from my family?

Think About Your Environment

• What does Universal Design mean?
• What are my rights if I need to rent accessible and affordable housing?
• Can I build a home or remodel my home to accommodate changing needs throughout my life?
• How can I change my home so it is easier for me or my loved one to get around?
• Where can I live if my home is not suitable now?
• What is assisted living?
• What are the differences between different group-care settings?
• What is a reverse mortgage and is it right for me?
• Is my community a good fit for my needs?

Think about Life's Transitions and Changes

• How do I make the best of retirement – supposedly the best years of my life?
• Is stress pushing me to a breaking point?
• Whom do I ask about my child's developmental stages?
• How do I know if my child's behavior is not typical behavior?
• Where do I go to find out if my child is eligible for supports at school and home?
• When and what do I need to do to help my child transition to adult services?