Preparing for your parent's illness

In an important article in the New York Times on April 25, 2013 entitled “What Millennials Need to Ask Their Parents”, columnist Jillian Keenan discussed her experience with her father’s illness, and her lack of preparation for managing his affairs and finances during the period (thankfully it was temporary) that he was too ill to care his medical, insurance, financial and legal responsibilities. Beyond a health care proxy and expressed advanced directives, she found that there is much information that is critical to support a loved one during a period of critical illness.After her father recovered, Ms. Keenan decided to prepare a list of questions for which she would have been grateful to have answers to prior to his illness.  I suggest a review of below and a follow up discussion within your family: Basic information and important documents:
— What is your Social Security number?
— Where can I find your Social Security card?
— What is your date of birth?
— What is your e-mail password? Computer password? Voice mail password?
— What is your health insurance company and policy number?
— Where is your birth certificate?
— Do you have a safe deposit box somewhere? If so, where is it and how do I access it?
— Do you have a life insurance policy?
— Do you have a long-term care insurance policy?
— Are there any Social Security or retirement benefits that I should be aware of?
— Are there any security questions (such as your mother’s maiden name) that I should know the answers to? Finances:
— What bills do you pay? When and how do they need to be paid?
— What bank account should I access if I ever need to pay for some medical expenses out of pocket?
— What back account should I access if I ever need to pay for long-term medical care out of pocket?
— What are your bank account numbers, PINs and passwords? House
— Where is your house deed?
— How do I sell your house?
— If you are mentally incapacitated and need to move to a long-term medical care facility, which facility would you like me to move you to?
— If you need to move into a long-term medical care facility, what should I do with the contents of your house?Car
— Where is your car title (and/or registration)?
—Does your car have insurance information I should be aware of?
— How do I sell your car? Is there any additional information I need?