Hey!!!
World Health Day has come and gone, and as usual, it reminded us to exercise, eat our vegetables, and maybe stop pretending that a well garnished jollof rice with all the veggies and eggs, counts as a high protein diet.
But let’s be honest: while we’re busy working out, taking ten thousand steps a day, and blending smoothies, very few of us are thinking about a more awkward but important health question:
What happens if you can’t make decisions for yourself?
It’s not a question we like to entertain. But life, unpredictable as it is, sometimes hands us scenarios where sudden illness or injury leaves us unable to make decisions about our medical care, our finances, or even our family’s future. Without proper planning, loved ones will be left to grappling with difficult questions, at the worst possible time.
Questions like: Who decides what treatment you receive? Who manages your finances if you’re unable to? Who ensures your wishes are respected? Suddenly, all those green juices and morning workouts won’t help you if you haven’t sorted your affairs. That’s where estate planning steps into the spotlight…
Now, when most people hear “estate planning”, they imagine a 92-year-old billionaire dividing up mansions. But estate planning is really about protecting yourself and your loved ones, while you’re alive and kicking.
It’s about setting up tools like:
- Medical Power of Attorney (Someone you trust making your health decisions if you can’t. Preferably someone who won’t “pull the plug” because you forgot their birthday.)
- Living Will (Your instructions on what kind of medical care you want or don’t want when you can’t communicate.)
- Financial Power of Attorney (Because you probably don’t want your cousin who can’t manage his own money suddenly running your empire.)
- Incapacity Trusts (Protecting your assets if you can’t manage them, without needing a courtroom drama.)
These aren’t just fancy documents. They’re lifelines that ensure your voice is heard even when you can’t physically speak.
Let’s face it: life comes at you fast. One minute you’re posting gym selfies, the next minute you’re wondering why you need reading glasses to check your phone. In other words, incapacity doesn’t send a calendar invite. It can happen gradually, through age-related illnesses like dementia, or arrive without warning through an accident. Regardless of how it happens, one thing is certain: it is far easier to put the right structures in place before a crisis hits.
Good planning transforms chaos into order. It shifts families from stress to security. And most importantly, it preserves dignity, respect, and peace of mind.
This is the real, often hidden side of health care. One that deserves just as much attention as the vitamins we take or the steps we count.
As we move forward beyond April and World Health Day, let’s not lose sight of its deeper message:
Take care of your body.
Take care of your mind.
Take care of your future.
Because true wellness isn’t just about living well today; it’s about planning wisely for all your tomorrows. So, the next time you think about “taking care of your health,” remember: it’s not just about your body and mind. It’s about making sure that no matter what happens, you’re still in charge of your life.
Remember, our experts are here to guide you every step of the way, to ensure that you plan now, live well, and leave no confusion behind..
Call: 02012715002
Email: armtrustees-PT@arm.com.ng
Visit: https://www.arm.com.ng/trustees/contact/
Speak to us today. Because true wellness isn’t just in your bloodstream. It’s in your paperwork.
