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Neighbor Helping Neighbor Since 2003
Volunteer today to help your
neighborhood seniors go places.
Through the work of volunteers,
Hearts and Hands is the largest
provider of free, escorted senior
transportation in
Erie and Niagara Counties.
Giving just two rides a month can
make a difference in the life and
independence of a senior.
We Make
Volunteering Easy!
• Select assignments which
fit your schedule On-line or
by phone.
• Volunteer training, liability
insurance and mileage
reimbursement are provided.
We need your help
now more than ever
Contact Hearts and Hands
today and get started
716.406.8311
www.hnhcares.org
[email protected]
36 WNY Family March 2019
Important Documents
Everyone Should Organize,
Regardless of Age
W
hen your elderly family
member unexpectedly
winds up in the hospi-
tal for a month and there’s no way to
pay her bills or even know what bills
are due, or you suddenly find that you
need several years of bank statements
and records of other assets to apply for
Medicaid, the task will be much easier if
someone has taken the time to find and
organize the following important docu-
ments or duplicate copies.
Purchase a plastic file box with
hanging file folder dividers and use
this as your “command center.” Even if
your elderly family member is perfectly
healthy, this is a good project to work
on together. From a purely practical
standpoint, these papers will be needed
eventually, and getting them in order is
a smart thing to do. (While you’re at it,
think about how your own important pa-
pers are organized? What would happen
if you were in an accident and incapaci-
tated for any length of time? Perhaps it’s
time for you to do a bit of organizing as
well!)
If you parent is willing and able, just
buy them the supplies to get them started
and give them control over getting the
job done. Just ask them to let you know
where they keep the box so that, in case
of emergency, you will know where to
find it.
Personal Records
Full legal name
Social Security number
Legal residence address
Driver’s license
Passport
Date and place of birth
Full legal names and addresses
of spouse and children
Location of birth and death
certificates and certificates of
marriage, divorce, citizenship,
and adoption
Employers and dates of em-
ployment
Education and military records
Names and phone numbers of
religious contacts
Memberships in groups and
awards received
Names and phone numbers of
close friends, relatives, doc-
tors, lawyers, and financial
advisors
Medications taken regularly
(be sure to update this regu-
larly)
Location of living will/ad-
vance directive
Health care proxy