24 Sep How can I find someone to help with my money and health care?

Q. As an unsupported elder without any children, how can I find a professional or fiduciary to help me with medical/healthcare and financial needs in my later years?
— Planning

A. We’re so glad that you want to make arrangements to be sure your wishes are followed if you’re unable to care for yourself in the future.

Managing your money and your health are two different matters.

Let’s start with your money.

You can hire a financial planner or an attorney to serve in this capacity, and the process to find one is the same as if you wanted someone to help manage your affairs while you’re still able.

You can learn more about finding the right financial planner here.

You’ll have to have the discussions directly with the advisor or attorney, though, to see what services they will and won’t provide, and then they will assist you with the needed paperwork for you to assign this responsibility to the advisor or attorney. If they can’t do the job, they can help you find someone who can.

These financial professionals can also serve as the executor of your estate.

When it comes to healthcare decisions, New Jersey’s Health Department has a helpful Q&A about advanced directives — your health care proxy — including who can and cannot serve in that position.

It says:

Question: Who can I appoint as my healthcare representative?
Answer: You can appoint your spouse/domestic partner, parent, adult child, family member, friend, religious/spiritual advisor or any other adult.

Question: Are there any restrictions on who I can appoint as my healthcare representative?
Answer: Yes, you cannot appoint the following individuals as your healthcare representative: 1) your attending physician or 2) the operator, administrator or employees of a healthcare institution in which you are a patient or resident, unless they are related to you. A physician who is an operator, administrator or employee of a healthcare institution in which you are a patient or resident can be your healthcare representative only if they are not your attending physician.

We recommend you meet with an elder care attorney who can help you explore resources to find a person you’ll be comfortable with to take on this important responsibility. You can also discuss what would happen if a guardianship would ever be necessary.

Email your questions to .

This story was originally published in September 2024.

NJMoneyHelp.com presents certain general financial planning principles and advice, but should never be viewed as a substitute for obtaining advice from a personal professional advisor who understands your unique individual circumstances.