"You need to know that your parents have three documents that will allow you to manage their health and finance needs if they become ill or incapacitated. Those are a living will (which tells a doctor or hospital whether or not they want life support), a health care proxy (which gives you or another individual the power to make health care decisions on their behalf) and a durable power of attorney for finances (which gives you or another individual the power to make financial decisions on their behalf.) If they don't have these, I recommend getting a copy of the “5 Wishes Living Will,” which is essentially a living will and health care proxy in one. I like it because it's written in plain English rather than in legalese. You can find it on the web at agingwithdignity.com."

--Chatzky, Jean, "Asking the tough questions for elder care," NBC News, 11/17/05

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